There are lots of fun ways to celebrate the July 4th holiday with young children including things like painting with red, white, and blue, singing related songs and fingerplays, and even using fireworks videos to launch science lessons. But did you know that these activities support early literacy skills too? Painting and collage activities help develop the small motor skills needed to hold books and turn pages. Singing holiday songs and fingerplays develops phonological skills by sharing rhyming words and builds language skills by introducing new vocabulary. Science investigations provide opportunities to develop concepts by asking children open-ended questions, having brainstorming sessions, encouraging children to make predictions and generate hypotheses. Whether it’s an art, music, or science activity, spring boarding these lessons with a book and then referring back to the story during activities supports children to make deeper meaning and connections. Here are some July 4th books to consider using this holiday:
A colorful picture book follows one town’s July 4th parade. (Age 3-6)
A picture book looks at all the places the American flag’s is displayed. (Age 3-5)
A patriotic picture book about what it means to be an American. (Age 3-5)
The classic “This Land is Your Land” ballad with Woody Guthrie’s powerful lyrics and Kathy Jakobsen’s detailed paintings. (Age 0-3)
This story follows one town’s July 4th celebration. (Age 3-7)
Lynne Hall is a Research Associate at the Early Childhood Center. She holds a Master of Science in Education and an Indiana instructional teaching license (Early Childhood Education and Services; Elementary/Primary Generalist; Elementary/Intermediate Generalist). She formerly taught preschool in a variety of settings for over 15 years. Her expertise includes early literacy instruction, equity in early childhood education, and inclusive classroom practices.
Email her at hallma@iu.edu
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