Oral Language

Use the front cover to introduce the story. Ask questions to get your two-year-old thinking. Even if he is not ready to answer all of the questions, you can show him how you think about the answers. This modeling can help increase his vocabulary and thinking skills while you practice beginning reading.

For example, you could try this:   

"Do you see a child? Touch the child. How do you think that child is feeling? How can you tell? I think he’s feeling happy because he has a big smile on his face and his eyes are wide open."

"What is the child doing? Maybe he is saying hi to the chipmunk." 

"The title of the story is 'Feeling Great!' Let’s turn the page and find out what makes this little boy feel great." 

Letter Knowledge

Bring your child’s attention to the letter F in the title and have an uppercase and lowercase letter Ff for him to hold. Talk about the letter name, shape and the sound. Invite him to look or listen for the letter or letter sound as you read the words. If he sees one or hears the sound, he should hold up the letter and say with you /f/ /f/ F.

Oral Language

Two-year-olds enjoy imitating movements. Encourage your child to imitate actions in the story.

You might say:

"This baby covers her eyes when she’s feeling shy. Can you cover your eyes like her? You like to hide behind mommy when you feel shy. Come show me."  

"As you read some of the pages, leave off the last word and see if he will finish the sentence."

Phonological Awareness

Say the name of the animals using initial sound segmenting and blending and see if he can guess the word without looking at the picture.

You might say:

"Listen as I say the name of the animal in a funny way, one part at a time; let’s see if you can guess the word. /R/ … abbit, /r/ … abbit. What animal is it? Yes, rabbit, you guessed it, fantastic!"   

Beginning Writing

Invite your child to draw a picture of an animal he would like to have as a pet. Remember that his drawing may be a series of scribbles, but your questions and comments will encourage him to continue and even add details. Expand on what he is telling you and describe what you see him doing. If he starts to tell you a story about his picture, offer to write the words and read it back to him. Hang the picture to display and encourage him to show and tell to other family members.

Use the theme or characters of this story to adapt and enjoy the following at-home activities for 24 to 35 months:

Beginning Writing: Snappy Caps — Invite your child to think about the colors as feelings. You might say:

"Which color makes you feel happy? Blue. Can you draw a happy picture? We can write: Blue is happy!" 

If he's still interested, ask about other colors for other feelings: sad, scared, angry, excited — or let him take the lead. Acknowledge and accept any attempts he makes. 

Letter Knowledge: Stomp the Letter — Create letter cards using the first letter of the animals in the story: R, G, C, K. Turn to a page in the book and let him tell you the name of the animal. Bring his attention to the first letter of the animal name. Invite him to find that letter among the cards and Stomp the Letter! 

Oral Language: Hello, Hello, Who’s Calling? — Initiate the game by being the animal from the story explaining why they are feeling that way. In a frightened rabbit voice you might say:

"I’m the rabbit and I’ve never been here before. I don’t know anyone and I’m frightened, which means I’m scared. Will you talk with me?" 

Encourage your child to talk with the rabbit helping her to feel more comfortable and perhaps coming up with a solution to the problem. Invite him to role play another scenario.

Phonological Awareness: Stomp and Say — Use the animals in the book to break into syllables and add a motion to it. You might say:  

"Go-ril-la" and pound your chest three times as you repeat the word: go-ril-la 

"Rab-bit" and hop two times as you repeat the word: rab-bit

"Chip-munk" — make a fist and spread fingers two times as you repeat the word: "chip-munk"

"Ko-a-la" — tiptoe three times as you repeat the word: "ko-a-la"