Happy Birthday America! Top 4th Of July Books For Preschoolers

Ahhhh Summer.

The time of year where we get to play at the pools, beaches, eat massive food at cookouts, and celebrate our Independence. Chances are, with the children being home for summer vacation, you'll take trips to the Library and book stores.

We have a nice list of fun reads for you and your child to enjoy.

1 - 

The Night Before the Fourth of July

The twentieth title in the bestselling Night Before series is the perfect summer treat! 

It's the night before the Fourth of July and all across the United States people are getting ready for hot dogs and fireworks. Decked in red, white, and blue, a family heads to a parade, hosts a backyard BBQ with friends and family, dodges an afternoon thundershower, and of course, watches a fireworks show. The Night Before the Fourth of July captures all the fun, excitement, and pride of the best summer holiday!

2 - 

Corduroy's Fourth of July 

Celebrate summer with a Corduroy board book adventure!

Today is the Fourth of July, and Corduroy and his friends are having a fun-filled picnic. They eat tasty treats and play games in the hot summer sun. Then it’s time to cool down with a dip in the pool. Next they take part in an Independence Day parade! Scruffy Pup bangs the drum, Checkerboard Bunny plays the flute, and Corduroy carries the American flag. Once it’s dark outside, the friends gather to watch an amazing fireworks display.

This sturdy, brightly colored shaped board book is perfect for the youngest fans of Corduroy, one of the best-loved characters in children’s books for nearly 40 years.

3 - 

The Story of America's Birthday

This little book presents the story of the founding of America in words that are simple enough for a toddler to understand. Vibrant illustrations paired with the text help to create the connection between the story of the Declaration of Independence and American Revolution and today's Fourth of July festivities. Parents can use this book to introduce little ones to the history and meaning behind Independence Day. Ages 2-5.

4 - 

Apple Pie Fourth of July

Shocked that her parents are cooking Chinese food to sell in the family store on an all-American holiday, a feisty Chinese American girl tries to tell her mother and father how things really are. But as the parade passes by and fireworks light the sky, she learns a surprising lesson. 

5 - 

Eloise and the Big Parade

Eloise and Nanny are going to a big parade!

6 - 

Happy 4th of July, Jenny Sweeney!

It's the 4th of July and all over town, people are getting ready. Jenny Sweeney gives her dog, Rags, a bath. All the preparations lead up to the big parade and a night of bright fireworks. It's a great day. "Happy Birthday, USA!"

7 - 

F Is for Flag (Reading Railroad)

June 14 is Flag Day, but with so many American flags proudly displayed, every day seems like Flag Day. Perfect for reading together with a young child, F Is for Flag shows in simple terms how one flag can mean many things: a symbol of unity, a sign of welcome, and a reminder that-in good times and in bad-everyone in our country is part of one great big family.

8 - 

L Is for Liberty (Reading Railroad)

For more than a century, the Statue of Liberty has stood proudly in New York Harbor, welcoming people from near and far. Perfect for reading together with a young child, L Is for Liberty uses simple language and bold illustrations to celebrate the statue, her history, and the freedom she stands for.

9 - 

A Is for America: A Patriotic Alphabet Book

Little ones will love learning American history in Tanya Lee Stone's latest alphabet book. Rhyming couplets that flow through the alphabet help kids celebrate everything from the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence to Thomas Jefferson and Harriet Tubman!

10 - 

The Berenstain Bears God Bless Our Country (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights)

The Bear family and their Bear Country neighbors celebrate the Fourth of July with a big parade. But not before the cubs get a lesson about the blessings of freedom for their country.  Features 12 full-color stickers.

Potty Training...Dun Dun Duuuuuuun!

So, it's that time of year again.  All of the parents are getting ready to send their littles back to school, or in some cases this is the first time for many. They're out buying uniforms, lunch boxes, and school supplies.

Then, there are the OTHERS.  You know who you are.  The ones who are desperately trying to get their preschooler potty trained before the new school year begins.  You take your child to the bathroom fifty thousand times a day in hopes that once, just ONCE they'll actually go this time.  Only for them to pull up their pants, walk into the living room and have an accident all over your brand new carpet.

You went shopping for all of the Princess or Spider Man underwear you could find, but NOTHING works. You threw away just as many, because who wants to clean all that?

Here are a few tips to getting your child on the right track to potty training success!

Start early

I know it sounds crazy, but give them some credit.  They are capable of far more than it seems. Buy a child sized potty. Introduce the two of them and get acquainted.  They'll be spending a lot of time together over the next few months. Some parents favor the potty ring that fits over the toilet accompanied with a stool for easier seating.

Consistency is key

Make regular trips to the restroom. Don't get discouraged if they already had an accident.  Go. Keep trying.  Allow them to be independent by undressing on their own before mounting that intimidating potty. This is a major life event for them.  It's a pretty big deal.

Rewards

I'm not a huge fan of rewards, but I made an exception with my child in this department.  He loved hot wheels cars and thank goodness those were cheap. Lets face it though, I would have spent every last dime if he would just...use...the...potty. With all of the bribes made, pleading for him to use the potty as opposed to the floor, he had enough cars to cover his entire bedroom floor. Ok, well close enough.

Take a trip to the dollar store for one toy of their choice. What child doesn't love the dollar store?

So, if we're perfectly honest here, we all know that potty training is tough. Take these opportunities to bond. I know, I know.  Bonding in the bathroom during their "business" sounds strange, but what else are you going to do?  Talk together, sing their favorite songs, read a book. Whatever it takes to make it a better experience for all of you.

Good luck!

Develop longer focus and attention through Practical Life activities

Do you get tired of seeing your child always gravitating to the Practical Life (PL) area?  Well, I'm here to tell you, that it is not necessarily a bad thing for them.  Did you know that activities such as transferring, spooning, scooping, and washing dishes are beneficial to their learning process? <---Yes! I said washing dishes.

Practical Life.  The area of the classroom that not many understand.

This isn't about "playing" as so many would like to think.  PL offers many interesting ways for children to develop necessary skills like hand-eye coordination, longer focus, and attention span.

WHAAAAAAT???  "They do all of that?"

Why yes. They do, actually. Every activity in PL has an important function.  Tweezers?  Excellent for pincer grip, which inevitably aids in proper handling of a pencil. Table washing? Focus, focus, focus! (Sorry, I didn't mean to shout) You know that child in the classroom that spends fifteen minutes a day washing the table? When have you ever seen a 3 and 4 year old focus on ANYTHING for that long?

"Whoa!  I never thought of it that way."

That's OK.  Not many do.  PL is the foundation of the Montessori classroom.  These exercises provide a host of other valuable assets to the child.  Besides improving focus, attention span, and hand-eye coordination, they help in developing control, independence, care for self and environment, as well as order.

Activities are also developed to work left to right. Orderly thought patterns, perhaps?  Maybe.

You too, can do these activities at home with your child. Let them help you in the kitchen.  Hand them a broom. Guess what?  They can even assist in setting the table.  Children want to imitate what we adults can do.  Allow for extra time in the morning and let them dress themselves.  You will be surprised what your little one can accomplish.