Choosing Children’s Books That Celebrate Physical Differences

Three things every person wants to feel: acceptance, empathy, and understanding. How does one accept, empathize and understand that we are all different? Exposure. One powerful way to achieve this is by curating a collection of children's books that celebrate diversity. Intentionally choosing books that showcase the richness of our varied human experiences strikes up open conversation with little ones to understand others and their differences.

Here are the top 8 reasons why choosing books that represent physical differences matters:

1. Reflecting the Real World:

   • Children's books that portray characters with diverse physical appearances offer a more accurate reflection of the real world. By exposing children to a range of appearances, parents can help foster an appreciation for the uniqueness of every individual.

2. Promoting Inclusivity and Empathy:

   • Books featuring characters with different physical attributes promote inclusivity and empathy. Children learn that everyone is unique, and these differences should be embraced rather than judged. This early exposure lays the foundation for a more compassionate worldview.

3. Building Self-Esteem:

   • Children who see characters in books that look like them or share similar physical characteristics are likely to experience a boost in self-esteem. Representation in literature helps children feel seen and valued, contributing positively to their self-image.

4. Encouraging Questions and Conversations:

   • Diverse books provide excellent opportunities for parents to engage in open and honest conversations with their children. Kids are curious when they see differences. Answering questions about physical differences can help demystify any misconceptions and create a safe space for learning.

5. Cultivating a Love for All Stories:

   • Exposure to physical diversity in literature encourages children to appreciate the richness of various cultures, backgrounds, and abilities. This, in turn, cultivates a love for all kinds of stories and a curiosity about the world around them.

6. Teaching Acceptance Through Narratives:

   • Narratives that celebrate physical diversity teach children the importance of accepting others for who they are. By showcasing characters with various appearances, parents can impart valuable lessons about kindness, respect, and the beauty of differences.

7. Preventing Stereotyping and Bias:

   • Diverse books play a role in preventing stereotyping and bias by challenging preconceived notions and presenting a more nuanced view of the world. Parents can actively contribute to breaking down stereotypes by selecting literature that broadens their child's perspective.

8. Fostering a Global Perspective:

   • Books that embrace physical diversity often explore stories from different parts of the world. This exposure helps children develop a global perspective, fostering an understanding and appreciation for the vast tapestry of humanity.

The books we choose for our children can play a significant role in shaping their worldview. By intentionally selecting literature that celebrates diversity, parents contribute to the development of compassionate, open-minded, and accepting individuals who will thrive in our wonderfully diverse world.

What’s your favorite book that celebrates diversity?

Looking for inspiration? Check out our latest book release, “This Is How I Hear: a book about needing hearing aids”. There is also a great list here!

XO - Real Life Pages

Navigating the Night: The Transformative Power of Visual Routine Charts for Bedtime Bliss

Bedtime, a word that can evoke a mix of feelings for parents & children—anticipation, frustration, and often, a touch of exhaustion. Recently, I was finding myself in a bedtime struggle that I wanted to get out of fast! My immediate go to as a parent is always to ask myself, “How can I transform this power struggle?” Usually, the answer is by providing my child with more AUTONOMY!

So, how do we build autonomy to make bedtime more enjoyable for all?

1. Establish a routine & structure

2. Make the routine visual

   -use visuals to help you progress through the steps

   -use some kind of markers to help show completed steps

3. Set age-approriate responsibilities they can do independently and make it special

   -pick out jammes, brush teeth, turn on favorite some, etc.

4. Include elements into the routine that make the transition easier.

   -If your child loves bath and willingly goes, use this as the opportunity to get those jammies on and brush the teeth while they are in a positive mood.

5. Provide positive reinforcement!

   -Celebrate with your child each time a step has been completed successfully and any psotive efforts or choices they made

6. Model, model, model! Get ready with your child. Get YOUR jammies on, brush YOUR teeth alongside them. They mimic what YOU do.

7. Repeat!

Let’s dig a little deeper into Visual Routine Charts and how they can be a game-changer for bedtime routines.

🌙 1. Tailored for Tiny Steps:

• Toddlers and preschoolers thrive on routine, and a visual chart breaks down bedtime into tiny, manageable steps. The clear visual cues guide them through each part of the routine, from pajamas to storytime.

🚀 2. Empowering Independence:

• Visual charts empower children to navigate their bedtime routine independently. This sense of control can be especially crucial for toddlers and preschoolers asserting their autonomy.

🌈 3. Sensory-Friendly Support for Autism:

• For children on the autism spectrum, routines and visual supports are lifelines. Visual charts provide a predictable and sensory-friendly structure, reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of security.

🏡 4. Creating a Safe Sleep Haven:

• Bedtime can be a source of stress for children. Visual routine charts help create a safe and predictable sleep environment, fostering a positive association with bedtime.

📸 5. Real Images, Real Comfort:

• Toddlers, preschoolers, and children with ASD can interpret the real images that give them a concrete understanding of what’s to come.

🌠 6. Consistency for Calm:

• Consistency is key, and visual routine charts bring a consistent structure to bedtime. This predictability signals to children that it's time to wind down, promoting a smoother transition to sleep.

🎉 7. Celebrating Small Victories:

• Every step completed on the routine chart is a small victory. Whether it's brushing teeth or putting on pajamas, the act of marking each accomplishment fosters a sense of achievement and positive reinforcement.

Visual charts stand as invaluable allies in supporting children across various aspects of their development. Whether aiding toddlers in grasping daily routines or providing a comforting structure for those on the autism spectrum, these visual aids are powerful tools. With clear, accessible images, they empower children to navigate tasks independently, fostering a sense of autonomy and accomplishment. For children with autism, visual charts create predictability and are concrete to aid in understanding, offering comfort in the face of routine changes. Free from the confines of words, these charts bridge communication gaps for all children, offering a universal language that resonates with children of all ages and abilities. As guides to routine, companions in learning, and sources of comfort, visual charts play a vital role in supporting children through their unique journeys.

🆓 Free Resource Alert 🆓 

• To make bedtime even sweeter, we have created a Visual Bedtime Routine Chart for you for free. Snag yours now and embark on a journey to bedtime bliss.

🌟 How to Get Started:

• Click here.

• Download the PDF.

• Print, customize, and witness the bedtime magic unfold!

✨ Join the Bedtime Revolution!

Let's turn bedtime into a haven of calm for every child, celebrating the uniqueness of each journey. Share the bedtime love with those who might benefit from this bedtime tool. Together, we're creating a world of bedtime bliss! 

🌙💤 Sweet Dreams

XO - Real Life Pages

Choosing Books that Impact Children’s Behaviour

Parenting is a rollercoaster of navigating those moments when our kids throw us curveballs with actions that might not align with what's considered "right" or "socially acceptable." As parents, our ultimate goal is to equip them with prosocial skills, ensuring they feel accepted, included, and loved. Enter the world of parenting resources, and what often comes to our rescue? Books! 📚

But let's get real - which books truly become the guiding stars, imparting those essential prosocial behaviors and life lessons to our little ones? Let's dive into a recent study on what books ACTUALLY help teach our children about life.

A 2017 study by Nicole E. Larsen, Kang Lee, Patricia A. Ganea explored the influence of storybooks featuring anthropomorphized animal characters on prosocial behaviors in young children. It found that such books increased empathy, modeled positive behaviors, and fostered a sense of connection. However, the summary suggests that storybooks with realistic human characters are MORE beneficial in promoting prosocial behaviors. Realistic human characters were found to enhance empathy, provide relatable models for positive actions, and cultivate a stronger sense of connection and relatability, making them more effective in shaping children's social development.

Anthropomorphism in Storybooks:

Anthropomorphism, the endearing practice of attributing human characteristics to animals or objects, has been a staple in children's literature for generations. The study we're examining here investigated whether these whimsical tales featuring talking animals could indeed encourage prosocial behaviors like kindness, sharing, and empathy in our little ones.

Key Findings of the Study:

1. Increased Empathy: The study revealed that storybooks with anthropomorphized animal characters did contribute to heightened empathy in children. Seeing animals navigate emotions seemed to resonate with young readers, fostering a deeper understanding of others' feelings.

2. Modeling Positive Behaviors: Anthropomorphized characters served as models for positive actions, encouraging children to emulate these behaviors in their own lives. The stories became a source of inspiration for sharing, cooperation, and other prosocial actions.

3. Fostering a Sense of Connection: Children exhibited a sense of connection to these endearing characters, resulting in an increased inclination towards prosocial behaviors. The relatability of animal characters created a bridge that motivated children to engage in actions that benefited others.

Wait a minute….so books with the cute animal characters work?

Yes, but…

The Power of Realistic Human Characters:

While the study sheds light on the positive impact of anthropomorphized animal characters, our exploration goes a step further. At Real Life Pages, we advocate for the unique benefits of stories featuring realistic human characters.

1. Enhanced Empathy: Realistic human characters were found to enhance children's empathy even further. The relatability of human experiences provided a deeper connection, fostering a profound understanding of the complexities of human emotions.

2. Real-life Modeling of Positive Behavior: Human characters became relatable models for positive actions, reinforcing prosocial behaviors such as cooperation, sharing, and empathy. The authentic portrayal of human experiences offered a mirror for children to reflect on their own actions.

3. Cultivating Connection and Relatability: The study highlighted that children demonstrated an even stronger sense of connection to realistic human characters. The relatability of human experiences created a significant motivating factor for children to engage in actions that benefit others.

So…what books do I buy?

In navigating the enchanting world of children's literature, we recognize the powerful role that stories play in shaping young minds. While anthropomorphized animal characters certainly have their charm and positive impact, our exploration suggests that realistic human characters offer unique and significant benefits.

As parents, we recognized this within our own children. Thus the creation of Real Life Pages - to curate stories that not only captivate young readers but also contribute meaningfully to their social and emotional development.

Let's keep riding this parenting wave through the wonderful world of books, empowering our little readers to grow into compassionate souls who add their special touch to this crazy, beautiful world.

Thanks for reading!

XO Real Life Pages

The Power of Real: How Authentic Stories Impact Children's Development

In the enchanting world of children's literature, stories have the remarkable ability to shape young minds and foster crucial aspects of development. At Real Life Pages, we believe in harnessing the power of the real — authentic stories that resonate with genuine experiences. In this blog post, let's embark on a journey to understand the significance of using real-life stories in children's literature and explore the positive impact they can have on emotional intelligence and understanding.

The Authentic Connection:

Children are naturally curious, and their capacity to understand the world around them is immense. Real-life stories provide a direct and authentic connection to experiences, emotions, and relationships. When children encounter characters and situations that mirror their own realities, they form a deeper connection with the narrative, enhancing their overall engagement and comprehension.

Fostering Emotional Intelligence:

One of the key benefits of real-life stories lies in their ability to nurture emotional intelligence in young readers. Real Life Pages' commitment to authenticity means that our stories explore a range of emotions, allowing children to identify, understand, and express their feelings. By witnessing characters navigate challenges, joys, and setbacks, children gain valuable insights into the complexity of emotions, promoting emotional resilience and empathy.

Understanding the World Through Real Stories:

Children are constantly seeking to make sense of the world, and real-life stories serve as windows into different experiences and perspectives. Whether it's learning about diverse cultures, family dynamics, or overcoming personal obstacles, authentic narratives provide children with a broader understanding of the world they inhabit.

Building Empathy and Compassion:

Real-life stories help cultivate empathy by allowing children to step into the shoes of diverse characters and witness their journeys. As they connect with the triumphs and struggles of the characters, children develop a compassionate understanding of the human experience. This, in turn, contributes to the development of strong social and interpersonal skills.

Encouraging Lifelong Learning:

Real-life stories not only captivate young readers but also instill a love for lifelong learning. When children see the relevance of stories to their own lives, they are more likely to develop a positive attitude towards reading and learning. The authentic nature of these narratives sparks a curiosity that extends beyond the pages of a book, fostering a thirst for knowledge.

In conclusion, the power of real in children's literature is profound. Real Life Pages is dedicated to creating stories that go beyond the realm of fiction, providing young readers with a meaningful, authentic, and relatable reading experience. By embracing real-life stories, we believe in shaping a generation of empathetic, emotionally intelligent, and open-minded individuals who carry the lessons learned from these stories into the tapestry of their lives.

Toys that last from 0-2 years old!

Our most loved toys that lasted us 2 years of play!

As my little guy turns two, I have begun to organize and retire some old toys. This has had me reflect on the most used and loved toys that lasted pretty much his entire life.

You never know when you buy a toy if it will end up being a one hit wonder. It’s disappointing to see a toy not get used. I determined there were a few criteria for these long lasting toys:

• keep them open-ended

• buy quality over quantity

• aim to hit a variety of skills & language targets

Alright, here are our top toys that lasted from 0-2!

At the top of the list we have…

#1 - Stack n Nest Cups

✅ Open-Ended 

✅ Quality 

✅ Works on various skills & language targets

• targeting vocabulary, “up, up, up, down!”, “in”, “on”, “where” “inside” “big” “tall”

• Hiding and seeking toys 

• Memory

• Building

• Nesting

• Scooping/Pouring

We started using these stacking/nesting cups at 4 months and it has been awesome watching them get used over and over again. I would have to say that this is one of our most used toys to date. Thanks to the open-ended nature of these cups, very couple of months, they have been used in new ways. These silicon muffin cups work great for stacking and nest too!

#2 - Books!!

✅ Open-Ended 

✅ Quality 

✅ Works on various skills & language targets

You can never have too many books in the house. Reading daily together boosts language development and conceptual knowledge of the world.

Some of our favourite books 0-2 

• Priddy books - “B is for Bear” & F is for Farm

• Little Blue Truck (with the sounds)

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear 

#3 - Shape Sorter

❌ Open ended 

✅ Quality 

✅ works on many skills & language targets

We brought this Melissa & Doug shape sorting cube in when M was 4 months old too! Although it is not as open-ended, we talked about many concepts like the colours, modelled how it worked and used it to stack towers and knock them down. There are tons of activities to engage with 0-2:

• Shape sorting

• Colour sorting

• Stacking

• Matching

• Categorizing

• Vocabulary: shapes, colours, in, out, turn/rotate, stuck, too big, more

#4 -Farm & Animal Set

✅ Open-Ended 

✅ Quality 

✅ Works on various skills & language targets

Animals and figurines open up so many opportunities for speech and language development. We started with farm animals and progressed. We receive this Little People Farm set as a gift at 6 months and it still is a top pick for my 2 year old. You bet, he used it at 6 months and still to this day!

Here’s how we started:

-animal identification 

- animal noises 

- putting animal down the slide - object permanence

Here’s how it’s going:

• matching animals to pictures & sounds (check out our 3 Part Montessori Matching Cards here!)

• ASL with animals

• Imaginative play  

We spent a lot of time targeting language with this toy. There’s lots of fun to be had, just get playing &  talking!

#5 - Vehicles 

✅ Open-Ended 

✅ Quality

✅ Works on various skills & language targets

Things that “go” can be so fun! Moving objects fast, slow, zig zag, forward back! Or maybe, they even fly! Vehicles have been a staple for our shelf work and my child’s main go to for independent play. Try to choose vehicles that are durable and built to last.

Here are some of our most loved:

• Construction Vehicles

• Wooden Toy Cars by Melissa & Doug

• Car Hauler

#6 - Pots, Pans & Stirring Spoons

✅ Open-Ended 

✅ Quality

✅ Works on various skills & language targets

Kids love mimicking and replicating what they see adults do all day. A big part of our day is cooking! You can give your child the real deal and let them have at it at your pots and pans, like I did. Or, you can find tons of options online. We love these pots & pans from Melissa & Doug (again!).

Moving forward, I try to keep the rule of 3 in mind when buying new toys for my little guy: open-ended, quality, works on a variety of skills! If you keep these three things in mind, I know you wont be disappointed with the longevity of your toys!

What toys would you add to our list? We would love to see your answer in the comments below.

Creating a Literacy Rich Environment

Our Story.

When my son was diagnosed with hearing loss as a newborn, we were told over and over again that it is imperative to create a language rich environment for him, especially during the ages of 0-3. Well, as you can tell, we took it to heart. As a teacher, I knew I had the skills and resources needed to support his language development at home. Having a literacy rich environment has been crucial to my son's language development and enjoyment of learning and reading. And the bonus I never saw coming?

The C O N N E C T I O N that it creates for us in our everyday life. 

What is a language rich environment?

It is an environment where children are surrounded by a variety of spoken language opportunities that promote communication, dialog, and the development of language skills. 

This can look like…

• adults who model language and use a variety of strategies to support children’s language growth

• providing a range of language experiences, such as listening to stories, singing songs, playing language games, and engaging in conversations

• adults using teaching strategies to help children expand their vocabulary and use language in a meaningful way
  
  

How do you create a language rich environment? 

1. Books and various print material

2. Toy rotations

3. Context cards with real images (like these ones!)

4. Musical exposure

5. Open ended toys (check out these toys!)

6. Practical life skills practice

7. Comfy, child friendly, decluttered areas 

8. Printing / colouring materials

4 best tips to build a language rich environment:

1. Get outside!

2. Get down on your child’s level

3. Engage in songs and play daily, repetition is important for vocabulary

4. Books! Rotate and repeat!

Here are some tips for creating a language-rich environment in your home:

1. Read a variety of books daily - Ask questions, talk about the pictures, stress new words and have FUN.

2. Sing, sing, sing! Sing nursery rhymes for repetition, make your own songs for daily routines, just start singing!

3. Face to face interactions: Slow down & be truly present, get on the floor and get playing! 

4. Narrate play and everyday life activities

5. Interpret your childs messages (both verbal and nonverbal)

6. Expand on what your child says

7. Exposure to new and unique experiences : the more a child sees, the more potential connections they can make within the brain

8. Pair the word with the image by attaching the new word to an image, the child’s brain is able to make a literal connection between the word and the object it represents

9. Consider a toy rotation. Children are more likely to stay with one toy for longer periods of time, allowing a more rich learning experience, as well as versatile language opportunities when less toys are within reach.

The best piece of advice, have FUN with it!

What does a language rich environment look like for you?