Mommy and Me Book Club For Preschoolers
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Guest Post: by mom, kindergarten teacher and blogger, Danielle Scribner. Her blog, Mommy and Me Book Club, shares ideas for a preschooler book club – it’s genius, you’re going to love it!
Six years ago, my oldest son was born, and  I left the classroom to begin my dream job of stay at home mommy. I love being at home with my children. I consider every moment that I get to be with them a blessing.  It is everything I ever imagined it would be.  (And a blessing I do not take for granted. I know of so many moms who wish they could be home, and aren’t able to be).
However, when August rolled around that second year, I started to miss the classroom quite a bit. I had taught elementary school for 8 years, and it was such a part of my identity as an adult.   I missed planning lessons and games and art projects. I missed themed snacks.  I missed crayons and glue sticks. And most of all I missed sharing my favorite books with GROUPS of children.  But I did not miss those things enough to want to leave my son at home so I could go back to the classroom.    We were having way too much fun!
I prayed to know what to do to help with the yearning I felt inside. The answer came. I felt inspired to invite a few close friends to join me and my son once a week for a little Mommy and Me co-op group.  What a gift this class has been for me and my children! I look forward to it every week. I love the women and the children who have chosen to share this adventure with us! Without them, it wouldn’t be possible.
Mommy and Me Book Club for Preschoolers
We meet together each Wednesday for an hour and a half. We have a circle time where we sing songs and introduce the Book of the Week.  Then we do fun art activities and games based off of our book. We even try to tie our snack into the theme. I do all of the lesson planning and email it out to the other Mommies. The Mommies e-mail back to say which activity they would like to be in charge of that week.
Everyone helps out (hence the co-op part of our group). I am usually in charge of circle time. There is no charge for the class, because everyone is helping out equally.   The first two years, I did the class with my oldest son, Andrew and his friends. The past two years, have been a special time for my second son, Ryan, and I to share. In the fall, my daughter, Molly and I will begin the Mommy and Me class anew with a new set of friends.
Melissa’s Note: THANK you, Danielle! You’re so creative and inspiring. This is such a fantastic way to introduce literacy to young children.
Readers, don’t you LOVE this? Go check out Danielle’s blog and be sure to comment here or there!
This is awesome. I want to do this with dads and their kids 🙂
I would love to partner with a Daddy and Me Book Club. That would be AWESOME! If you are serious, let me know what I can do to help you get started.
Thanks for sharing this Melissa and Danielle. Oh the memories and the fun! I loved that with each child Danielle saw it as an opportunity for THEM not who came before. As @Book_Dads says “brilliant.”
Thanks so much for your kind comments! It really is a special time that I get to share with each of my children. I think that often we as parents can find it difficult to carve out time to spend with our children individually. Although I definitely aim for and usually achieve more than an hour and a half a week focused on each child separately, with Mommy and Me, I KNOW that we will get at least that much!
What a talented and gifted Mommy and teacher you are. What lucky children you have! And for those with whom you are willing to share, LUCKY THEM! Wish my chilldren had had such a gifted Mommie!
This is such a tremendous idea! Great for everyone, especially if you have a gifted mommy eager to lead circle time.
Thank you so much! We have a lot of fun. If you are interested in starting your own, please let me know! I’d love to help.
I love your blog. My twitter friend, @ianchia turned me on to it. I had a preschool book club for my son when he was 4 and it was so much fun. I blogged about the books and activities here and wanted to share: http://www.pragmaticmom.com/?p=120
I love your blog, too! I’m always in awe that you post so much – how do you do it? You’re such an amazing resource!! 🙂 Cyber Hugs!
Melissa