MSU Extension Child & Family Development

•  Show the children the front of the book. Ask them to guess what the book is about.

•  Ask them what kinds of fruits they see on the cover.

•  Ask them to name the different animals they see.

• Stop at any time if there is something you or the children would like to talk about. 

•  Ask them questions so that they can connect what is happening in the book to things they already know about. Try some of these ideas: 

  •  In this story, fruit grows on trees. What other things do you find on trees?

  • Baby Bunting is sleeping in a basket. Where do you like to sleep?

  • What kind of fruit do you like to eat?

• Spend some time talking about the story. Ask the children things like:

  • Which picture did you like best?

  • Where was Tom Thumb hiding?

  • What happened at the end of the story?

Read this book several times to the children. Hearing the same story again and again helps them learn new words and understand the ideas the hear better. Each day, pick a different activity to do with the children after reading.

MATH AND SCIENCE

Talk about the color of peaches, pears and plumbs. Ask the children to find as many things as they can of each color. Write them on a list with the matching color crayon.

THINKING SKILLS

Go through the book again and have the children try to find the hidden characters that are placed throughout the pages by themselves. If they need help, look for them together or give them clues to make it easier.

READING READINESS

Have the children say the title of the book three times in a row. Then have them say it a little faster. Keep increasing the speed until their tongue is tied. Then you try it! Laugh together when you make a mistake.

MUSIC AND MOVEMENT

Hold hands with the children and gallop from side to side in a circle. While you are doing this sing “I spy with my little eye something....” Take turns saying a color and stop as you say the color. Take turns guessing the object.

PRETEND PLAY

Pretend to be one of the nursery rhyme characters from the story. Explain the fairy tale or nursery rhyme before you start. Find clothes or props you can use to bring the fairy tale to life.

MOTOR SKILLS

Hide a few objects around the room, like a stuffed animal, a book or measuring cups. Leave a small part out so it can still be seen. Let the children know how many things are hidden and tell them to find them all. Use “warm and cold” as clues. When it is too easy, hide the objects all the way. Take turns hiding and seeking.

ART

Make a fruit collage. Find pictures of fruit in magazines or newspaper ads. Cut or tear them out and glue them to a piece of paper.

For more information visit the MSU Extension early childhood development site.