Not wanting to spill its wonders, the duckling looks inside.
DEE THE DUCK AND THE TREASURE BOX
Sometimes a child’s book can seem empty to adults, but don’t underestimate the value of reading with your child. Read DEE THE DUCK AND THE TREASURE BOX aloud to your young child. Let him/her help you by identifying the icons for the various objects that Dee the Duck keeps. As you move through the book, your child will be excited to help you “read” the book using the icons. Enjoy the repetition involved as Dee saves reminders of her blessings in her special Treasure Box.
Repetition is an important activity!
Repetition encourages your child to learn what Dee is putting in her Treasure Box. When the duckling shows her parents the box contents, let your child help you by telling why Dee saved each treasure. Each item placed in the Treasure Box has a memory cloud showing from where the item came. Discuss each one. With a little patience, help your child remember why Dee kept each item. Repeatable patterns will stimulate your child to make correlations in the story. When your child identifies the icons and memory clouds, rejoice and reward him/her with smiles and laughter.
Repeatable patterns help a child’s brain develop.
Children learn new skills through repetition. You might notice that your child gets quicker in his/her response to the icon prompts and the memory cloud pictures as you read through the book. Associating objects with their recurring icons will help your child grow in confidence. Repeatable patterns help children’s brains to develop, plus they are lots of fun.
Spend time together and make connections.
One of the most important things you can do for your child is to spend time together. Enjoy reading DEE THE DUCK AND THE TREASURE BOX with your child and collect your own memories together. Don’t let your treasure box be empty. Laugh and bond with each other. Let your heart be full of the real treasure of connection.
Illustration by Kathleen E. Deisher