Dr. Suess is an excellent and innovative teaching resource for early childhood education. Children love the playful and nonsensical stories told by Theodor Geisel (Dr. Suess' real name) for generations. Different stories can be used for lessons ranging from rhyming to phonics, from learning about holidays to learning about the environment. If you are a preschool or early elementary teacher or parent, take a new look at these great old stories.
Instructions
1. Start a love of books and reading with Dr. Suess. You can find board book editions and adaptations suited to the youngest children, and some of these books are ideal for little ones as they are. With bright colors and silly sounds, even babies can enjoy Dr. Suess read aloud. Ideal choices include "Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?" and "Dr. Suess' ABC."
2. Teach pre-reading skills. While more complex books can bore very young children, options like "Red Fish, Blue Fish" and "Hop on Pop" are playful and fun ways to teach children about rhyme. Rhyming is a critical skill that needs to be developed before children learn to read, and Dr. Suess stories are a great source for innovative rhymes kids are sure to love.
3. Practice phonics with early readers. A number of Dr. Suess stories are ideal for children just beginning to sound out words and use phonics. You can often find these particular Dr. Suess books shelved with early readers, and some editions may include a reading level designation. "Hop on Pop" is excellent, as is "Fox in Socks" for children at this level.
4. Use Dr. Suess books to teach important lessons. Some Dr. Suess books are an engaging start to a lesson on holidays or social relationships. Consider using the Cat in the Hat to talk about proper behavior or How the Grinch Stole Christmas to share your beliefs about holidays with your child. You might also use The Lorax to discuss environmental issues.
5. Offer Dr. Suess books as an option for older children learning about poetic meter, film and TV adaptations and other aspects of literature. Dr. Suess used anapestic tetrameter for his work, as did many renowned English poets. This comparison might make poetry more accessible. Consider offering the option of watching a variety of versions of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" or "Horton Hears a Who" with older children as an opportunity to discuss similarities and differences.
Tags: Suess books, learning about, about holidays, early readers, Grinch Stole, Grinch Stole Christmas