After a morning spent running around, hunting for ladybirds, we came home and read some of our ladybird books.

Resources

  • The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle
  • What the Ladybird Heard by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks
  • What the Ladybird Heard Next by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks
  • What the Ladybird Heard On Holiday by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks
  • What the Ladybird Heard, Lift-the-flap by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks
  • My First Book of Garden Books by Mike Unwin and Tony Sanchez
  • Food Chains by Ginn New Star Science

Method

Ioan read ‘What the ladybird heard‘ to his brothers. Cian (19 months) listened carefully as Ioan read each page, then Finn asked him, “Where is the ladybird?” and “What does the cow/horse/sheep/dog/cat make?” Cian answered him by pointing to the animals, making the animal sounds. Finn was very proud that by the end of his quiz, Cian was starting to recognise that hog was another name for pig. Cian was also starting to hiss for the goose.

Then they all had some independent reading time. Cian, having older brothers to model reading, loves spending some quiet time reading. Ioan (6) was able to read the stories independently. Finn (4) flicked through the book he knows best, able to retell the story using the pictures.

I absolutely love this series of pictures below. They were all reading quietly, then Cian suddenly looked at the elephant on his page and trumpeted loudly, making Ioan and Finn jump.

DfES Outcomes for EYFS (2013)

Communication and language

Listening (16 to 26 months)

  • Listens to and enjoys rhythmic patterns in rhymes and stories.
  • Enjoys rhymes and demonstrates listening by trying to join in with actions or vocalisations.

Understanding (16 to 26 months)

• Selects familiar objects by name and will go and find objects when asked, or identify objects from a group.

Speaking (16 to 26 months)

  • Copies familiar expressions, e.g. ‘Oh dear’, ‘All gone’.

Physical development

Moving and handling (22 to 36 months)

  • Turns pages in a book, sometimes several at once.

Making relationships (16 to 26 months)

  • Plays alongside others.

Literacy

Reading (16 to 26 months)

• Interested in books and rhymes and may have favourites.