Bibliotherapy Lesson

The Baby SisterSubmitted by Maria Teresa Mendez SPED 620 Diversity in Education March 2005

Materials

• Title book: The Baby Sister• Author: Tomie de Paola• Illustrator: Tomie de Paola• Published by:Penguin Putnam books for young

readers 1996

Synopsis of story

The Baby Sister is a book about a boy who isso excited because his mom is having a baby, and he asks her for a baby sister with a red ribbon in her hair. But he did not ask for stern Nana Fall river to come while his mom is in the hospital. Tommy and Nana don’t get along very well, but when little Maureen is born, all the trouble is forgotten.

Grade Level

K4 and K5: Ages 4 - 6

To open a space in class for children where they can talk about particular situations related with their feelings. Can be a compliment on family theme.

GoalsChildren will begin to

understand their own lives through the expression of themselves. Talking about

their experiences will determine significance to

such experiences.

Objectives

• Generate anticipations,predictions and inferences starting from the title and front cover of the book.

• To find projections and expectations in children’s comments around the theme of the book.

• To expand their knowledge of others throughout the socialization of ideas,comments or thoughts.

Themes explored in the book

• Exploring feelings about having a new baby sister or brother.

Themes explored in the book

•Recognizing changes in mother’s body.

Themes explored in the book

Reflecting about relationships with older relatives.

Themes explored in the book

Preparing the environment for the new baby

Strategies

• Read the book aloud highliting key words that will be important to characterize the characters and their intentions.

• Recognize characters’ personality and ways of relating with each other.

Strategies• Introduce the book by saying,”Some of you

have brothers and sisters who are older than you. Some of you have younger brothers and sisters. Some of you don’t have brothers and sisters. This is a story about a boy who will have a new baby in his family.After I read the story,we can talk about brothers and sisters.”

• Read the story, using your voice and facial expression to portray the feelings of the characters. Begin a discussion by talking about children’s individual experiences.

Questions: •Sometimes the youngest in the family is called the baby, even when she or he is not a baby anymore. Are any of you called the baby in your family?How does that make you feel? What are some good things about being the baby?•Maria is going to have a baby brother or sister soon.What do you think it will be like to be a big sister,Maria? Relate children’s experiences to those in thebook as appropriate. Acknowledge and interpret children’s feelings during the discussion: “Sometimes you feel lonely when everybody is busy with the baby.”•Help children figure out ways to cope with negative emotions:”What might help you feel better when your mother is busy?”

Integrated thematic enrichment

• Lullabye and good night. Make a collection of lullabies that children and their families sing.

• Family photos. Have each child identify family members by name and relationship in photographs.

• Letters or drawings made for children to the new baby.

• Pretend play. Let children recreate during

Free play the “baby’s game” Set out an assortment of things used to dress babies, feed them etc. Allowedenough time of play to observe what children’s do.

Select one or more books about older and youngersiblings: Peter’s Chair by Ezra Jack Keats, Nobody Asked Me if I Wanted a Baby Sister by Martha Alexander, She Come Bringing Me that Little BabyGirl by Eloise Greenfield.

THE END

Literature is always a good Way to help children dealWith their feelings.