{30 Days of Simple Toddler Toys} Day 18: Alphabet Letters

The more exposure to alphabet letters children get, the better!  There's so much to do with alphabet letters, you cannot go wrong with them.  We have felt letters for our flannel board, letters on blocks, magnet letters, bath letters and more.  Keep in mind when shopping, it's nice to have both uppercase and lowercase letters in your collection.

Skills:

• early literacy
• fine motor
• letter identification

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{30 Days of Simple Toddler Toys} Day 11: Books

I know you were thinking it..."When is she going to post about books?"  Books are the most fundamental simple toddler toy necessity.  At the risk of sounding cheesy (cheese!) books can teach your child so much (beyond just how to read) and take them places they've never been (or ever will be).

I think my husband has finally conceded to the fact that you can never have too many books.  We have enough books here to catalog them and start our own library, but Greyson's gift list will always include books.  Always.

Barefoot Books have the most amazing books for children, and there is FREE shipping on orders over $60.  That means you can stock up on books for all the children you know (and even for a few different holidays, birthdays, and baby showers!) to earn that free shipping.

For the holidays, Barefoot Books has created Dazzling Gift Sets for even more savings.  These sets come shipped loosely (meaning they're not packaged together), so you can buy a set and separate it amongst a few children or even a few special holidays.  Here are a few of my favorite sets.

Curious Cleo Gift Set

Alison Jay's Laptime Stories Gift Set

Singalong and Swingalong Gift Set

Traditional Tales Gift Set (including our new book, The Little Red Hen)

The Little Red Hen

I ordered Greyson one of Barefoot's brand new books, The Little Red Hen. I've always loved this traditional tale, but when I saw the illustrations in this book, I knew it was special.  (It also helps that it comes with a Story CD narrated by none other than Debra Messing!)  Check out the illustration by Kate Slater below.

Here's a few more of my very favorite children's books that I think should be in every home with kids.

Language through Literacy

Ever since we got our chickens in April, Greyson has been obsessing over anything farm-related.  His favorite animal (of course) is the chicken, but he's really become interested in other farm animals as well.  One of his favorite books right now has helped him identify the animals, and most recently, be able to say their names.  A Farmer's Life for Me is also a singalong, and the tune is so catchy, you can't help but sing right along with it.  I'm planning a farm Tot School theme, so stay tuned!

Book:  A Farmer's Life for Me
Author:  Jan Dobbins
Illustrator:  Laura Huliska-Beith
Sung By:  The Flannery Brothers
Publisher:  Barefoot Books, 2013
A busy family and their friends spend a day working and playing on the farm.  From milking the cows in the morning to closing the gate at night, learn about a day in the life of a farming family.

Here's a video of Greyson practicing his new vocabulary.