I realize now how lucky I was to go on family vacations
almost every year in my childhood. The experiences we had were always great and
definitely shaped who I am today. And no, we didn’t go to amusement parks. We
were the family that went to historical places, like Franklin Roosevelt’s house.
At the time I didn’t appreciate it, but now I know how lucky I am to have had
those experiences. 
If you’re lucky enough to go on a vacation this year, think
about all of the exciting things your little one can learn from these
experiences and all of the interesting conversations you can have together.
Imagine if you would go to New York City, a place with so many diverse people,
places and events. A new picture book by Ward Jenkins, New York, Baby!, explores
NYC through a toddler’s eyes. They visit Central Park, take in a Broadway show,
Times Square and, of course, have a tasty treat on the famed Bleecker Street!
(Myself, I love to have a cupcake from Magnolia Bakery on Bleecker!)
The vibrant illustrations help draw the child’s eyes to all
of the attractions. When you come to the page with the toddler riding the bus,
talk about different modes of transportation like the bus, the taxi, or the
subway. Introduce a new word, like skyscraper, and talk about the different
bridges, along with the Statue of Liberty. All of these words or places might
be a completely new experience for a child that has only lived in the
suburbs/rural areas. You never know - you may be laying the groundwork for a future architect or city planner!
No comments:
Post a Comment