The Crocodile who liked to Chomp!
on Goodreads (1)
What’s inside...
The Crocodile who liked to Chomp is a book aimed at biting toddlers and those with speech delays, teaching children to express their feelings with words rather than biting. The story centers on Timothy Croc, who reacts to anger and frustration by biting. His father teaches him to use 'No-No words' as an alternative. This narrative addresses the emotions behind biting and promotes empathy. It is an ideal resource for teachers, speech-language pathologists, and parents of children in pre-k and kindergarten. It serves as a valuable addition to school libraries and is a fitting back-to-school gift, teacher appreciation gift, or birthday present.
Age
0-8
Length
29 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the crocodile likes to chomp so much? What do you think he's feeling?
How do the other animals react to the crocodile's chomping? How would you feel if you were one of those animals?
What are some ways the animals could help the crocodile to not chomp so much?
Can you think of a time when you felt like chomping like the crocodile? What helped you feel better?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voices for different characters to make the reading more enjoyable and help your child differentiate between the characters' perspectives.
After reading, ask your child how they would end the story differently, encouraging creative thinking.
Relate the crocodile’s feelings to real-life situations your child might encounter, discussing emotions and appropriate responses.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite scene from the book, which can lead to a discussion about the story and its moral.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Sharing
Explanation: Throughout the book, the playful crocodile learns the value of sharing his space and belongings with his friends, which leads to happier and more fulfilling playtime.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by sharing toys and resources with their peers during playtime at school or with siblings at home, fostering a conducive and harmonious environment.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: As the crocodile experiences the outcomes of his behavior, both good and bad, he starts to understand the effects his choices have on himself and others.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to think about the consequences before acting. It guides them to make thoughtful decisions in daily interactions such as being gentle with pets or choosing words wisely with friends.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The crocodile gradually learns to empathize with his friends’ feelings, particularly when his actions upset them, and makes efforts to ameliorate the situations.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to recognize emotions in others and respond appropriately, building stronger, more empathetic interpersonal relationships at school and at home.
Example Lesson: Resolving Conflicts
Explanation: The book shows the crocodile navigating disagreements with his friends and learning effective ways to resolve conflicts without resorting to anger.
Real-World Application: This provides children with strategies to handle disputes calmly and constructively, encouraging skills like negotiation and compromise in real-world conflicts.