TEACHERS TAKE NOTE

Welcoming Babies

Margy Burns Knight

Illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien

Paperback, $7.95, ISBN 978-0-88448-124-9

7½ x 8, 40 pages, color illustrations

Children / Multicultural; Grades PreK-4 (CA, NY)

As the notions of what constitute a family continue to evolve, books such a this one have a special place in helping children understand family diversity. The images of babies surrounded by loving adults both inform and educate since each picture in this book truly does tell a story!

Welcoming Babies will help inspire classroom conversations about:

• Adoptive families;
• Christian, Jewish and Muslim families;
• Naming and gift-giving traditions;
• Celebrations; and
• Birth.

Activities

Lullabies Around the World

Explore the ways parents put their children to sleep. Choose a few favorite lullabies and ask: What do the words say? Why were they written? Who wrote them? Have students write and illustrate a lullaby.

Sharing Family Traditions

Introduce the idea of family traditions by having children list the major holidays they celebrate. Put the holiday's on the board and then ask children what their family does on these special days. Put answers on the board. As the picture emerges that each family celebrates in its own way, ask what these traditions have in common and what functions they serve.