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It is never too early to share a story with a child. Right from infancy, storytelling, the reading of books begins to create a love for books that is critical for language development. Reading also builds a child’s curiosity and imagination. In this month’s newsletter, the IEMHP team shares some of their favorite books for young children. In addition, you will find a resource that can help practitioners and families choose books for children that provide guidance based on development. For instance, books for infants will be board and cloth books that offer caregivers the chance to create their own stories for a child. Exposing young children to books right from infancy supports the development of receptive and expressive language skills, vocabulary and self-express. Collectively, reading with a young child helps prepare them for a positive start at school.
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The 2022 Lecture Series
The lecture series, Laying the Path for Lifelong Wellness is underway! Thousands from around the world have registered and watched the lectures.
While there are still many lectures yet to come, we have had to opportunity to listen to many including Dr. Charles Zeanah, Dr. Charles Nelson and Prof. Mark Tomlinson who have shown us undeniable evidence of the importance of a language and experience-rich environments in the early years. During infancy, reading together is an activity that can promote strengthen a bond between parent/caregiver and baby while also enhancing language development, supporting the emergence of a child’s curiosity, and introducing many different concepts to a young child. In this newsletter, the IEMHP team shares some of their favorite books with you to add to your collection and/or share with families and caregivers.
Click here to learn more about the series and register.
IEMHP Staff Picks - Favourite Books
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 Chaya
“Hugo and the Impossible Thing” By Renee Felice Smith and Chris Gabriel, Illustrated by Sydney Hanson
I love reading this book with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. It tells a story of hope, courage, and determination. It also shows how much more any of us can achieve when we work with others. The illustrations offer an opportunity for many conversations about the outdoors, the land and how curiosity can open up the world to so many things
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 Stefanie
"Giraffes Can’t Dance" by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees. Available in English and French
As a music lover, and as someone who can identify with the feeling of not always fitting in, this book truly spoke to my heart the first time I read it with my son. The idea that everyone can belong and participate in their own way is a really lovely message for little ones. Gerald the Giraffe learns he can dance by moving to the music he loves; sometimes, you just need to find the right song!
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 Nicole
“Madeline” Series by Ludwig Bemelmans. Available in English and French
The Madeline series was always a favourite for bedtime (or anytime) reading. She was curious, clever, and did things a little differently - always thirsty for new experiences, but she was also empathetic. Madeline is kind and showed everyone she came across compassion and love, making friends wherever she went. She showed you that you could be independent and brave, while also learning and helping others along the way.
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 Namrah
”I Spy Treasure Hunt: A Book of Picture Riddles” by Jean Marzollo. Available in English and French
I love reading this book with children because it enhances their vocabulary, gives them an opportunity to explore their creative imagination, and challenges all children to keep trying and not give up, all the while creating a fun bonding experience for everyone. I love to tell children that of all the treasures we sought in the book, the biggest treasure is indeed themselves, they just have to search for it inside!
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 Magali
"L'oeuf et la poule" (The Chicken and the Egg) by Iela Mari.
I remember this book most fondly from my childhood. I was told that as an infant I was mesmerized by the high contrast illustrations. Some of my earliest memories are of me pretending to read "the chicken book". I couldn't get it wrong since it has no words! When I grew older, I wrote down the "real words" so grown-ups would stop making them up all the time. My parents kept these books and passed them on to my children, who enjoyed them immensely too. To this day the illustrations pop up in my mind every time I see a live chicken or a birds' nest. So, a book for all ages, really!
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 Donna
“My Many Colored Days” by Dr Seuss, Steve Johnson, et al. English only
This simple board book gives young children different ways to think about and visualize their emotions. It also helps to normalize that we all have a range of emotions - days that are dark, but that we also have days that are bright. This book gives an easy way for young children to consider and talk about their feelings.
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 Yvonne
“Llama Llama's Little Library” by Anna Dewdney. English only
The book set is perfect for younger children starting to read due to its beautiful illustrations and simple rhymes. My little one has enjoyed this book set since he was 3 months old. He showed his preference as young as 4 months. He always pulled the Llama Llama Nighty-Night from his book basket. I still remember how he was laughing and making sounds when we read the book together. Now he is a toddler but still loves reading his Llama Llama books.
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Picking the Best Books
Choosing books can be a challenge as there are many excellent books to select from. Aside from choosing books that were your favourites, another strategy is to suggest books based on a child’s stage of development to parents and caregivers. IEMHP has developed a resource which offers the developmental milestones for children birth to six that can be considered when choosing books. Each age group provides details about typical cognitive and developmental abilities and the type of books that are age appropriate and support development at that age/stage of development.
This resource can be shared, emailed or printed as a handout for parents to encourage reading with baby from the beginning.
Download this resource here. Available in English and French
FIND OUT MORE
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The US National Early Literacy Panel
“The US National Early Literacy Panel was convened in 2002 to conduct a synthesis of the most rigorous scientific research available on the development of early literacy skills in children from birth to age 5.” This resource provides research evidence that could help early childhood providers in particular better support young children’s language and literacy development.
FIND OUT MORE
(English only)
ARE YOU GATHERING ASQ DATA?
In collaboration with IEMHP and multiple agencies that work with young children and their families across Canada, our Research Partners at Queen’s University are creating the first Canadian database of child development. This national database will track Ages and Stages Questionnaire scores, as well as demographic data. The benefit of this database is that it will help strengthen our understanding of how children are reaching developmental milestones, as well as illuminating which developmental domains require increased support. All data will be anonymized.
If your agency or organization is interested in learning more about the national ASQ database, please feel free to reach out to Dr. James Reynolds, Principle Investigator (PI), at jnr@queensu.ca or Karys Peterson-Katz, PhD Candidate, at 18klpk@queensu.ca.
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