If there’s a simple message to deliver to kids, no need complicating things. In fact, keeping it simple often is the most effective way to communicate with children.
That’s the thinking behind Teaching International’s three-book children’s series TI Town Books by Martha Allen. The books are designed to teach babies, toddlers and young children important messages, focusing on education, health and safety.
In the process, the books also provide children with language development and social skills, how to engage with themselves and others, concepts like colors and counting, and preparing them for daycare and pre-school routines.
In book one, DayCare Adventures, the children are being dropped off at school. The day’s activity is having the children introduce themselves, share their names, favorite colors and favorite numbers. The round-the-class progression, enhanced by colorful pictures and images, gets the series off to an educative start.
PROVIDES CHILDREN WITH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL SKILLS
The lessons continue in book two, Good Touches and Bad Touches, which shows children exactly that – what is okay to touch and what is not. For example, it’s okay to touch the outside of your ears, but never touch the inside. Bad things range from not touching sharp objects to not touching and pulling other people’s hair.
Book three, It’s a No-No!, helps parents and educators teach children what they should avoid – climbing on dressers, playing with fire, playing with electrical cords, and more.
Says the author, “Most people who have the privilege and responsibility of caring for children worry. We worry that they are achieving appropriate development milestones. We worry about the safety of their environment. We want them to be treated respectfully and to treat others respectfully. The best thing we can do is inform them about their health, safety, and education.”
HELPS PARENTS AND EDUCATORS TEACH CHILDREN WHAT THEY SHOULD AVOID
“I have seen first-hand how awareness of resources and being informed about potential dangers empowers children to make safe decisions.”
The books are designed to set the stage for adults to have important conversations with young children, initiated by concepts taught in the three volumes.
Clinical Psychologist Patricia Jones Blessman notes that “This series gives parents the leading opportunity to bridge into important discussion topics around health, education, and safety with their young children, and it does so in a developmentally appropriate, emotionally positive manner. The books offer a thoughtful yet lively way for parents and educators to explore some common and some difficult topics with their children.”
Purchase the TI Town Books here.
About Martha Allen:
Martha has worked with children with disabilities, foster children, children that have been victims of domestic violence, and children that have been involved in criminality. She has seen first hand how awareness of resources and being informed about potential dangers empowers children to make safe decisions.
After working as a social worker for more than 30 years and becoming a grandparent, she felt compelled to create content that would allow her to support children in their development, introduce them to community resources, and help them avoid unsafe situations.
