Reviewed by Savannah Aldridge for Readers’ Favorite
Dad Is My Best Friend by Kerice K. Robinson and illustrated by Kavion Robinson tells the story of the beautiful relationship between a father and daughter. Our narrator Andrea is a young girl who proudly proclaims that her dad is her best friend. She then takes us on an ordinary yet fun-filled day spent with her father. Together, they race and bike outside and then come indoors for some more exercise together. We get to count how many push-ups Andrea’s dad can do with her sitting on his back. Finally, at the end of a long day, he tucks her into bed with love.
After reading this book, the first word that came to my mind was “cozy.” Kerice K. Robinson notes in the beginning that some of the scenes were inspired by her early memories with her father, and the genuine love between dad and daughter is deeply evident throughout this book. The story feels gentle, safe, warm, and cozy! Another endearing part of Dad Is My Best Friend is its beautiful artwork. Each picture is bright, detailed, focused, and truly captures the love in Angela and her father’s relationship. The vocabulary sounds like the genuine narrative of a young girl, which makes the book perfect for early readers who need a book they can go through on their own. However, I believe the best way for a kid to enjoy this book is to snuggle up with their dad. A warning to fathers who plan to read it. Your kid will want you to do push-ups while they sit on your back because it looks like fun in the book. Get ready for a father-daughter bonding workout!
Learning the alphabet is the essential first step to reading. We know that ABCs and 123s are the building blocks to becoming literate. However, it can be challenging when you’re trying to teach your child the alphabet using books and digital screens. Your child needs hands-on activities that get them moving, thinking, and talking.
A variety of factors affect the development of a child’s learning habits. Everything can influence your child’s success in school, from your upbringing to your child’s socio-economic background, diet, and age.
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Hands-on activities are a great way to introduce children to the alphabet. They provide opportunities for children to use their senses, encourage them to think for themselves, and help develop their fine-motor skills. Plus, they are much more fun than traditional classroom exercises! We give you ten-play, hands-on alphabet activities to encourage your child’s learning of the ABCs.
1. Foam Alphabet Letters in a Sensory Table.
Grab your child’s attention by creating a colorful, multisensory alphabet activity. Use the foam letters in a sensory table to help your child learn their ABCs. In this activity, you can use a variety of textures like sandpaper, soft materials, and other objects. The entire exercise can take only a few minutes and provides a fun way to introduce the alphabet—especially if your child is learning the alphabet in another language!
Educational use and Resources:
This activity works well with limited space (such as a home or classroom), low-tech materials, and higher-energy children.
If you use felt letters on top of water-soaked sponges or cotton balls, set out bowls containing various colors of food dye (red, blue, yellow). Your child will enjoy mixing up all these different textures as they explore the alphabet!
2. Build a Beaded Alphabet Necklace.
Take your child’s learning to a higher level by crafting a beaded alphabet necklace! This activity allows your child to practice alphabet skills such as letter recognition, phonics, creative writing, fine motor movements, and even math. Plus, it’s a great way to spend time together!
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Educational use and Resources:
This activity works well with children ages 4 – 7 years old. You can make the necklace out of cotton yarn, a beaded necklace kit, or you can use a beading needle and beads.
To make the necklace, string or add beads to a piece of fabric. You can use any type of alphabet or symbol you like, but we recommend making it a simple one for your child to make the connection with their ABCs.
3. Sandpaper Letters.
After learning all about the alphabet, why not learn by touching them? Get your child moving and talking by allowing them to use their hands in a fun way! Putting letters into play with sandpaper is a great way to practice letter recognition, writing, and linguistics. This hands-on activity can also help your child learn their ABCs since it helps them build fine motor skills.
Educational use and Resources:
This activity is excellent for preschool, kindergarten, and pre-k classrooms. You can also do this activity at the school. This can be done by using colored sandpaper letters for each letter of the alphabet and then using a white cross to attach them to a piece of paper (a classroom door or window).
4. Alphabet Playdough Mats.
Create an alphabet playdough mat using playdough and a cookie sheet. This is a great way to introduce the ABCs, but your child can also learn about phonics and letter recognition. As your child creates the alphabet letters, they will learn how to decode the sounds of the alphabet.
Educational use and Resources:
You can use any playdough color, but we recommend using assorted colors. For example, you can use green for A, yellow for B, red for C, blue for D, and so on.
You can also use glue or tabs to adhere to the letters on the cookie sheet. You can add chocolate chips or small beans as toppings. This activity is a great hands-on way to enjoy learning the alphabet and help your child develop their fine motor skills!
5. Alphabet Scavenger Hunt.
Create a list of items that begin with certain letters of the alphabet. Take your child on a scavenger hunt throughout your home and neighborhood to find the alphabet items and learn their ABCs! Scavenger hunts work well for younger kids, especially if you can add some fun twists like using silly songs or offering treats as prizes.
Educational use and Resources:
This activity will help your child learn their ABCs, letter-sound correspondence, and spatial awareness.
You can create a list of items that begin with each letter of the alphabet. You can even add things that start with several letters, such as “A is for apple and ant.”
6. Alphabet Puzzles.
This is one of the most popular ways to teach the alphabet. It’s a great activity that combines learning with fun, imaginative play. You can create your puzzles using wooden puzzle letters. A variety of activity kits are also available to do this activity. By creating your puzzles, you can also make them more personalized and engaging for your child!
Educational use and Resources:
This activity is excellent for preschool, kindergarten, and pre-k classrooms and at home. You can use any puzzle piece—wooden letters, plastic letters, alphabet blocks, etc.
You can also draw the alphabet on a sheet of paper or practice letter-sound correspondence using an alphabet grid.
7. Alphabet Animal Crafts.
Alphabet crafts are fun for your child because they allow them to explore their creativity. You can also introduce the alphabet with cute and colorful letter animal crafts! These are great for any kid—whether in a classroom or at home with you.
Educational use and Resources:
You can use any letter of the alphabet on these crafts and any type of animal you like. If you have a kid who loves nature, create an animal found in nature. You can also use the different animals as a reminder of each letter of the alphabet so they can learn their ABCs in no time!
8. ABC Flashcards.
Flashcards are a classic way to introduce the alphabet. Flashcards can be created using pictures or objects—and they’re a fun and easy way for kids to learn their ABCs. Plus, flashcards are perfect for traveling!
Educational use and Resources:
For this activity, you can use actual flashcards that you buy from an office supply store or make them yourself by writing letters of the alphabet on pieces of paper. You can use paper or cardstock and make them using a whiteboard marker.
9. Letter Matching Game.
This activity can work for young kids from preschool to kindergarten. It’s a great way to help kids learn their ABCs and fine motor skills. Plus, it teaches them organizational skills by matching letters in a puzzle-like game.
Educational use and Resources:
You can make your letter matching game as simple or creative as you want to make it! This activity works well for preschool, kindergarten, and pre-k classrooms and at home with younger kids.
You can use plastic or cardboard pieces and different colored paper, or you can print out your own letters and use stickers.
10. Alphabet Cones.
With this activity, you can teach your child how to recognize and make different kinds of ABCs. You can also develop their fine motor skills while they create the letter cone.
Educational use and Resources:
You can use any type of letter cone, rubber letters, alphabet blocks, alphabet stickers, and more. You can make an ABC cone using colorful construction paper.
Conclusion:
The alphabet is a complex and fun subject to teach kids. With the right resources, kids can learn the alphabet in no time! These activities are excellent for preschool, kindergarten, and pre-k classrooms and at home.
Guest Author Bio
Andrea is currently the head of content management at SpringHive Web Design Company. This digital agency provides creative web design, social media marketing, email marketing, and search engine optimization services to small businesses and entrepreneurs. She is also a blog contributor at Baby Steps Preschool, writing storytime themes, parenting tips, and seasonal activities to entertain children.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: On Sale June 2022 | Dad Is My Best Friend | Written by Kerice Robinson | Illustrated by Kavion Robinson
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Unabashed Kids Media is pleased to announce the publication of “Dad is My Best Friend“, written by Kerice Robinson and illustrated by Kavion Robinson.
The reviews have been overwhelmingly positive for the children’s book “Dad Is My Best Friend.” The book is author, Kerice Robinson’s debut picture book set for wide release on June 1, 2022.
Caribbean illustrator Kavion Robinson’s oil paintings beautifully portray a father and daughter’s heartwarming bond in “Dad Is My Best Friend.” The reader will learn why Angela’s dad is her best friend as she recounts all the fun things they do together. Racing, bike riding, and push-ups are some of the things Angela loves to do with her dad. Readers will have the chance to count and interact with Angela and her dad while they exercise.
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“My earliest memory of my father is of him working out by the front door of our home. He would do push-ups in front of the door. One day I climbed onto his back and began to count, just like Angela.”– Author Kerice Robinson
To forever cherish the memories of those special times with her dad, Kerice Robinson wrote: “Dad Is My Best Friend” based loosely on her own childhood experiences. Purchase your copy on Amazon or Barnes & Nobles.
About the Illustrator Kavion Robinson
Kavion Robinson is a Jamaican-born painter and illustrator, recognized most notably for his illustrative figure paintings. He attended the University of The Arts in Philadelphia majoring in traditional illustration. His artistic style can be described as conceptual realism. The subjects of his paintings are highly influenced by his childhood in Jamaica. As a painter, “I made it my goal to paint images of cultural and historical significance. I have dedicated my career as an artist to depicting black life and history in an enlightening and educational manner”.
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About the Author Kerice Robinson
Author Kerice Robinson’s debut picture book Dad Is My Best Friend is inspired by her childhood experiences with her father. Kerice is passionate about early childhood education and creative writing. Kerice founded Unabashed Kids, a children’s media brand focused on academic and social-emotional education. Kerice plans to grow Unabashed Kids through the creation and promotion of educational videos, articles, picture books, and lesson plans.
Reading books, arts & crafts, writing stories, and making themed treats are great classroom activities for Groundhog’s Day.
For Groundhog’s Day make some “Dirt Pie”. Dirt Pie is a chocolate pudding with oreo cookies. Add some gummy worms to add to the groundhog digging theme and make the sweet treat even sweeter.
Finding a daycare center to send your little one can be challenging for many reasons. Fear of mistreatment, price, education standards, and separation anxiety. The information on this page will guide parents in their research process to finding the perfect preschool for their baby or toddler.
5 Steps to finding a GREAT preschool in your area!
To find a preschool in your area start with an online search. Use google, yahoo, or bing. Search preschools near (type in your town or zip code).
Once you find preschools that are close to you. Look at their reviews and prices.
Determine if you are willing or able to pay the monthly price (preschools are expensive). Some government agencies may provide discounts for preschool education. If your family brings in a low yearly income, please look into FREE or discounted preschool education. To qualify, you must financially qualify and be excepted to a preschool that uses this discount.
If you know anyone in your area that has a preschool-aged child ask them where the kid is enrolled and how much it cost. Let them know you are looking for a great preschool to enroll your child in. Parents are very honest about this topic, so they will tell you if they dislike where their child attends preschool and if they are looking to enroll somewhere else.
Send an email or make a phone call to the preschools that have good reviews. By all means, shop around. Ask if they give tours, speak with the center director, and/or observe a preschool teacher.
Make a decision based on your thorough research.
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How do I find a credible local daycare?
Just like a hotel or restaurant, childcare centers receive ratings based on their health, safety, customer care, and education quality. Looking at business reviews on FaceBook, Google, or Yelp will help you get a better understanding of the quality of the childcare centers in your neighborhood.
If you live in the United States you can visit Childcare.gov to learn about Childcare Quality ratings. You will be able to select your state and view local childcare centers licensing and reports. These reports are very detailed and will describe any major incidents, reports of abuse, sanitation, or safety risk at a childcare center.
What is a good price for preschool?
The cost of childcare in the United States ranges from $4,460 to $13,158 per year ($372 to $1,100 monthly), according to the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA). Infant childcare cost more than childcare for a toddler or pre-kindergarten-aged child. The same childcare center will often charge $200 to $500 more for infant care than for toddler care. This is because infants will often be cared for in smaller class sizes and have more care needs. If you live in the US you can use https://www.costofchildcare.org/ to find your state’s average childcare cost. You can even adjust the needs you want to be meant in a classroom and the average price will adjust to your wants. https://www.costofchildcare.org/ allows you to adjust the number of students in the class, classroom size, teacher salary, and materials available. The Cost of Childcare website is sponsored by the Center of American Progress, we are not affiliated with them in anyway but do believe this is a wonderful resource for parents. The goal of the website is to show how costly childcare can be and get citizens to advocate for government-sponsored childcare in the US.
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What are some fine motor skills activities for preschoolers, kids, and toddlers?
What are fine motor skills? Fine motor skills are the ability to make movements (motor) using the small (fine) muscles in our hands and wrist.
Gross motor skills have to do with the larger muscle groups in the arms and legs. Think of a child being able to crawl, walk, run, jump, skip, clap, and dance.
These skills are important because they allow us to do everyday things, such as getting out of bed in the morning, eating with a fork, spoon, or chopsticks, squeezing toothpaste out of the tube, brushing our teeth, zipping our pants, tying our shoes, and writing our name.
10 Fine Motor Activities
Here is a quick list of 10 fine motor activities for young children and some products to consider using when actively teaching these skills.
Put-in task or shape sorting – putting objects or toys into holes build muscle strength and hand-eye coordination. (You can purchase fine motor put-in task toys via amazon affiliate linked. Shape Sorting Toy, Staking and Sorting Toy, Fine Motor Hedgehog )
Opening and closing locks/latches.
Do puzzles. They are great for improving fine motor skills. Knob puzzles for younger children babies to pre-toddlers, and jigsaw puzzles for toddlers and older. Check out these cool puzzles!
Unabashed Kids Media is happy to announce the release of “I is for Imani!: A Kwanzaa Alphabet Book” written by Kerice Robinson. Learn about the celebration of Kwanzaa with this brightly colored holiday letter book. Children will go through each letter in the alphabet and learn how it relates to the principles of Kwanzaa.
“I is for Imani” teaches kids about Kwanzaa in a fun and easy to digest way. Simple ABCs of Kwanzaa book. The book has a word for every letter in the alphabet and relates the words to Kwanzaa. The book also gives a simple and kid-friendly definition of each word. Purchase on Amazon or Google Play.
Take a Peek Inside: “I is for Imani!”
Take a peek inside “I is for Imani”
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Children should read everyday. It doesn’t matter if it is the same book over and over again or a different book everyday. Unabashed Kids has created a list of 31 picture books to read in the month of October. The books on this list can be read by children of all ages but may do a better job keeping the interest of children ages 3 to 8.
Unabashed Kids is an affiliate for Amazon and other online retailers. That means that if you use the links found on Unabashed Kids blog to make a purchase, we receive a small percentage of the purchase price. It never changes the price you pay and we select every item mentioned on the site!
The classic bug theme in primary school or preschool. I can recall when my second grade class kept caterpillars in our classroom and released them on the playground when they turned to butterflies. There are so many ways to teach children about bugs and insects, but a great book should always be the start. Below is a list of 10 bug and insect books from elementary and preschool children.
Eric Carle is an extraordinary children’s author. See our list of the best Eric Carle Books. Books like “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and “The Very Busy Spider” by Eric Carle make the list.
“Red, Blue, and Green! What colors are on my plate?” is a food-themed book for young readers.
Children look through over 20 brightly colored “real images” of foods and name the color of each food. Fruits, vegetables, carbs, meats, and cheeses make up a beautiful rainbow-colored plate. A perfect book to introduce picky eaters to new foods. Come along for the journey and discover new delicious foods.
E-Book Available for $0 on Amazon with Kindle Unlimited.
