Families is almost always one of my first themes in the Fall. As I get to know a new group of students and they get to know each other, talking about families and our homes is one aspect to explore. Our families are part of what makes us us so it is only natural for them to be a topic of interest for young kids.
Also Read: Children’s Books, Storytimes, and Activity Ideas for Kids Stuck at Home During the Covid 19 Pandemic
This story time is a great starting point for talking about families with your kiddos.
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Families Story Time
Great books about families abound and there are probably 5,000 ways to make a family tree. To narrow it all down, below I gathered some of my favorite books to read aloud about families and some fun songs and activities that go well with this theme. If you have other suggestions I would love to hear about them – add your favorites or links in the comments!
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Children’s Books about Families to Read Aloud
Gaston
by Kelly DiPucchio
illustrated by Christian Robinson
I love this book for so many reasons, but one of them is for the way it discusses families. Two dogs get accidentally swapped at birth and when the mistake is discovered years later both families and dogs have to decide how to move forward. I love how this book explains that families aren’t about how they appearances, but about love and feeling at home.
A Family is a Family is a Family
written by Sara O’Leary
illustrated by QinLeng
I had tears in my eyes half way through this book. I love the celebration of all kinds of families. I love the authentic voices the author wrote for the children. I love the little things that each child picks to share about their family. A beautiful, heart warming book about the unique and wonderful things that make any family a family.
This is How We Do It
by Matt Lamothe
This book follows one day in the lives of seven kids from around the world. I love the global view of the world in this book and I love that it does a great job of showing how all the families are different and yet how some things are universal. This is a nonfiction book that still works as a read aloud. I encourage you to also invite kids to come look more closely at this one after story time.
Also Read: Heartwarming Children’s Books about Families of all Kinds
Family Songs + Rhymes
- Families are All Different Rhyme from First Grade Wow
- The Finger Family Song watch on YouTube
I sing this a little slower for story time than this video. Feel free to also change around the names of the finger to match your family or different families in your group.
Table Invitations about Families
Below are a couple of ideas related to this week’s theme to extend story time either at the table or play area.
Literacy Activities
- Diverse Families and Love Thumbprint Art from Homebound but Hopeful
- Montessori 3 Part Family Cards and Family Tree Activity from Living Montessori Now
Social / Emotional
- Family Tree Craft Ideas from The Preschool Toolbox
- Family Portrait Collages from Rainy Day Mum
- Family Portrait Crochet Frames from Little Worlds Big Adventures
Science, Technology and Engineering Activities
- Family Harmony with Kindness Tokens from What We Do All Day
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