Family Friday for August 16th, 2019

Dear friend, 

When I was pregnant with Gianna I could not wait to read with her. During my pregnancy with her I would actually read my own books aloud so that I could read to her even before she was born. There is just something so special about having a little one sit on your lap as you read her a story. In Familiaris Consortio St. John Paul II states that one of the duties of being a parent is the education of children. As Catholic parents we are called to this duty in a special way. God allows us parents to teach our children about the world around us, but also about God and His immense love for us. What a great duty we are given! 

“According to the plan of God, marriage is the foundation of the wider community of the family, since the very institution of marriage and conjugal love are ordained to the procreation and education of children, in whom they find their crowning” John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio.

So, for this week’s Family Friday I thought I would share some of my favorite educational baby and toddler books. Do you remember the Dorling Kindersley books growing up? Or the “DK” books? These were some of my favorite books to read as a child and I am so glad that now I get to use them for my own children. The very first DK book I got for Gianna was actually a gift. My mother gifted Gianna with the My First Baby Animals DK book. Not only was it one of Gianna’s favorites, but I had a great affinity towards it as well. Each book is well organized and the pages aren’t overstimulating with too many colors and subjects like some other books I have seen. I was looking for some type of educational book like this and I am so glad my mom got it for us.

There are two different options when it comes to sizing for these books. The book my mom gave me (My First Baby Animals) is the larger option. The larger DK books are 9.2 x 0.8 x 9.1 inches and the smaller DK books are 4.8 x 0.8 x 6 inches. The bigger version of the DK books includes tabs that help to organize the book. Each tab leads to a page layout of a specific category. I usually leave the larger DK books at home and will bring the smaller books along in my diaper bag if need be. These DK books are a wonderful tool to teach children about shapes, numbers, animals, etc. Every single day Gianna will bring me one or more of these books to read to her. She just loves them! We also do other activities to help her learn numbers, shapes, etc., but I have noticed that these books have definitely helped her to learn these topics. While she was reading her My First 123 DK book she actually pointed to each item and counted all the way up to nine! She is also recognizing shapes, colors, and lots of animals, which these DK books have helped her to identify. It is so fascinating to watch her learn something new! 

I created a full list of the “My First” DK book series. 

Larger DK Board Books (9.2 x 0.8 x 9.1 inches):

• My First Baby Animals: Let’s Find Our Favorites!
• My First Words: Let’s Get Talking!
• My First Numbers: Let’s Get Counting!
• My First Things That Go: Let’s Get Moving!
• My First Farm: Let’s Get Working!
• My First Animals: Let’s Squeak and Squawk!
• My First Colors: Let’s Learn Them All!
• My First Zoo: Let’s Meet the Animals!
• My First Trucks and Diggers: Let’s Get Driving!
• My First Playtime: Let’s Get Busy!

Smaller DK Board Books (4.8 x 0.8 x 6 inches):

• My First Farm
• My First 123
• My First ABC
• My First Animals
• My First Colors
• My First Trucks
• My First Words
• My First Body
• My First Dinosaur
• My First Pets
• My First Tractor
• My First Things That Go
• My First Shapes
• My First Baby Animals
• My First Out and About
• My First Day and Night
• My First Opposites

Learn more about Dorling Kindersley (DK) books on their website. More books can be found there as well.

Recent Happenings at Love Begins at Home

I have something that I am really excited to share with you all coming up in September! There may be another giveaway included! I really enjoyed doing the first giveaway and you all were so supportive and joined right in on the fun, which I am so thankful for. Giveaways are just a little way that I can thank all of you for your readership, love, and support. So stay tuned!

Have a great rest of your weekend and know you are in my prayers!

With love,

Nina

+JMJ+