What Are You Doing in My Bed?
on Goodreads (64)
What’s inside...
Kip the kitten has nowhere to sleep on a cold winter's night. So he creeps into a house and curls up in a snug, cosy bed. But this bed belongs to someone else. This is a fun-filled story, aimed at 3-6 year olds, perfect for reading aloud.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
0-5
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think each animal was feeling when they found someone new in their bed?
Why do you think the animals reacted the way they did to the uninvited guests?
How would you feel if you found someone else in your bed, and what would you do?
What do you think is the best way to solve a problem when you have to share space with others?
Can you think of a time when you had to share something important with someone else? How did you feel and what did you do?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their emotions and thoughts as they relate to each animal’s situation. Validate their feelings and guide them to understand different perspectives. Use the story to discuss the importance of sharing and respecting others’ space. Connect the story situations to real-life scenarios your child might encounter, enhancing their empathy and problem-solving skills. Don’t forget to emphasize the importance of communication and asking for help when faced with a difficult situation.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Sharing and Cooperation
Explanation: In 'What Are You Doing in My Bed?', various animal characters try to fit into a bed that is too small, demonstrating the need to share limited resources and cooperate with one another.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of sharing their own belongings and space with siblings and friends, promoting harmony and cooperative play.
Example Lesson: Understanding Boundaries
Explanation: The story explores the concept of personal space through the humorous scenario of different animals attempting to share a single bed, teaching children about respecting others' boundaries.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children grasp the importance of asking permission before using someone else’s things and respecting individual comfort zones in social settings.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: As the animals in the book encounter the problem of overcrowding, they must think creatively and work together to find a solution that accommodates everyone.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by using critical thinking and collaboration to solve problems in school projects or during playtimes with peers.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: The animals’ willingness to try different configurations to all fit in the bed showcases adaptability to new situations.
Real-World Application: This promotes flexibility in children, encouraging them to adapt to changes and unexpected situations in their routines or environments.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: The story prompts readers to consider how the animals feel in the crowded bed, fostering a sense of empathy and understanding for others' discomfort.
Real-World Application: Empathy learned through this book can lead children to be more considerate and understanding toward the feelings and needs of others in their daily interactions.