Have you ever taken a song and added your own words? Jane Cabrera does this with “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” As her characters row down the stream, they spot a v
ariety of animals, each making a noise. Have your child make the noise, too. Animal noises are a fun way to practice sounds. This is an early literacy skill—something that lays a foundation for reading readiness.
Children love to move. You and your child could sit on the floor, bottoms of your feet touching the bottoms of his feet. Hold hands and gently pull back and forth as you “row” and sing the song.
Your child could act out the story by pretending that a box or a laundry basket is a boat. Does she have some stuffed animals she could set beside the “boat” and tell her own story? This activity helps with narrative skills and reading comprehension.
Not ready to quit rowing? Iza Trapani has another version of the song in her version of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat“
You can learn more about boats by reading:
“Boats” by 
Byron Barton
“Boats” by Anne Rockwell
“Boats Float!” By George Ella Lyon and Benn Lyon
You can have more fun with animal noises by reading:
“The Seals on the Bus” by Lenny Hort
“Old MacDonald Had a Farm” by Pam Adams
“Jo MacDonald Saw a Pond” by Mary Quattlebaum
“Jo MacDonald Hiked in the Woods” by Mary Quattlebaum
Making connections with a story is fun and helps children with pre-reading skills. Read at least five Missouri Building Block nominees and help your child vote for a favorite.
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