By Kristy A. Bennett
(Book-Reviews/Home-School-Curriculum)
One of the greatest books I have found for introducing Science to a young child is the very simple Flip-the-Flap Body Book. This book gives you three areas of the human body to explore. You can select from any one of the book parts in order to explore the digestive system, the senses and the reproductive system. Each subject area is covered at a suitably basic level and
Getting Into the Physical Body With Young Children
is a platform for much laughter whilst answering some of those common anatomical questions.
The Digestive System
My boys found talking about their digestive system funny at first. I guess everyone has their own reasons why some discussions can make you giggle especially when it comes to gas trying to escape from either end of the system. The upside is that they can now also talk about it quite seriously without breaking into a giggle. This has enabled them to communicate very clearly not only the importance of food but has also been instrumental in developing their understand of a healthy mindset and developing a dietary approach that utilises nutritious food. It also helps significantly when they have a stomach ache!
The Senses
My children also had fun exploring their senses both through the book as well as using some games we played. There is nothing like being blindfolded and being asked what something is by taste, touch, sound or smell! This section has been great for expanding the vocabulary that my children use to extend 'this tastes good' to include descriptions of the taste as bitter, sour, salty or sweet as well as the texture being soft, creamy, mushy, hard, or crispy. It has complimented their skill development also in being able to describe leaves and plants in nature study, or animals that they have seen. The senses can open your children's eyes, ears, nose, mouth and hands to a whole world of exploration.
The Reproductive System
However, the best part for me at the time that we read it was having a book to explain the development of the latest addition to our family without stressing about giving too much information. The book explains very clearly the different physical responses mothers go through from morning sickness to fatigue. It also discusses the baby's development over the nine months and some of the things that they can expect once the baby arrives. It was a great chapter that was read over and over in the final weeks. As their expectation of the baby arriving grew so did their desire to read this chapter! The only issue we have not dealt with is the fact that there is a belief that sperm can be differentiated into 'boy sperm' and 'girl sperm' by their color - which you will understand when you buy the book!
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Getting Into the Physical Body With Young Children
is a platform for much laughter whilst answering some of those common anatomical questions.
The Digestive System
My boys found talking about their digestive system funny at first. I guess everyone has their own reasons why some discussions can make you giggle especially when it comes to gas trying to escape from either end of the system. The upside is that they can now also talk about it quite seriously without breaking into a giggle. This has enabled them to communicate very clearly not only the importance of food but has also been instrumental in developing their understand of a healthy mindset and developing a dietary approach that utilises nutritious food. It also helps significantly when they have a stomach ache!
The Senses
My children also had fun exploring their senses both through the book as well as using some games we played. There is nothing like being blindfolded and being asked what something is by taste, touch, sound or smell! This section has been great for expanding the vocabulary that my children use to extend 'this tastes good' to include descriptions of the taste as bitter, sour, salty or sweet as well as the texture being soft, creamy, mushy, hard, or crispy. It has complimented their skill development also in being able to describe leaves and plants in nature study, or animals that they have seen. The senses can open your children's eyes, ears, nose, mouth and hands to a whole world of exploration.
The Reproductive System
However, the best part for me at the time that we read it was having a book to explain the development of the latest addition to our family without stressing about giving too much information. The book explains very clearly the different physical responses mothers go through from morning sickness to fatigue. It also discusses the baby's development over the nine months and some of the things that they can expect once the baby arrives. It was a great chapter that was read over and over in the final weeks. As their expectation of the baby arriving grew so did their desire to read this chapter! The only issue we have not dealt with is the fact that there is a belief that sperm can be differentiated into 'boy sperm' and 'girl sperm' by their color - which you will understand when you buy the book!
