World Book Day March 6th 2008

World Book Day was designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and is marked in over 100 countries around the globe. The origins of the day we now celebrate in the UK and Ireland come from Catalonia, where roses and books were given as gifts to loved ones on St. George’s Day – a tradition started over 80 years ago.

World Book Day 2008 in the UK and Ireland will take place on Thursday 6th March. Please note that this date applies to the UK and Ireland only. Most other countries hold World Book Day on 23rd April every year.

You can visit the World Book Day website to find printable sheets to downloads, details of events happening in your area and more.

Do you have any events or activities planned for the day? My son is in the reception year at Primary School. He has been asked to dress up as a character from his favourite book. He has decided that he would like to be the fox from the Gingerbread Man, He has chosen a costume from Blush Fashions that he’d like and will have a gingerbread man puppet to complete the look. At times like this I wish I could sew, luckily a wide range of costumes can be found at affordable process on the High street or from internet stores.

Songs and Rhymes

Sarah Neville, Registered Childminder, has produced an e-book all about songs and rhymes, with a section devoted to following the EYFS curriculum while planning activities relating to popular children’s songs.

I'd like to thank Sarah for sharing her experiences with us:

'All children love singing – partially hearing and deaf children particularly benefit from hearing or feeling the rhythms of music and it is excellent for children in wheelchairs or those who use walking aids to practice their directional and steering techniques by moving rhythmically to songs and rhymes.

I have some lovely teaching mitts for popular children’s songs such as ‘5 Little Ducks’ and finger puppets for songs and nursery rhymes such as ‘Baa, baa black sheep’ and ‘Dingle, dangle scarecrow’, ‘Humpty dumpty’, ‘Twinkle, Twinkle little Star’ and ‘Incy Wincy spider’. All of these encourage song, dance and movement and I have found children love interacting with them. I put them in a bag from which the children can self-select. They choose a puppet and we sing the song and during the song they take ownership of that puppet, showing the other children in the group how to move or jump or dance. It encourages children’s self-confidence, raises their self-esteem and helps them make relationships with others in the group, thereby fulfilling many of the EYFS ‘Personal, Social and Emotional Development’ learning and development criteria, in one fun activity.'