Baby books

Oh yeah, I just remembered; I also had him listening to Aesop’s Fables and The Children’s Book of Virtues on audio.

Rachel

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do You See (Bill Martin/Eric Carle) as well as any books Eric Carle did on his own.

Classical and Messianic Jewish music. I was very strict. I added in Steve Green’s “Hide’em in your Heart” 2-Vol. set way later and then many Broadway musicals, after age 3. I’m still strict about the development of taste in music. I don’t even want them deveoloping the taste of most modern Christian music, not just the words, but the style matters, too.

The Jim Weiss has great music within his storytelling. Specifically, he listened to “Good NIght”, ” Sweet Dreams”, and “Animal Tales”. Here, too for the Abadaba Alphabet, I starting playing for my dd at 3 when we adopted her.

Great thing about the audio Aesop I bought is that it used Vivaldi as it’s intro and in-between music, so the children recognize it everytime!

Rachel

To add to all other great suggestions, my children really enjoyed:

Just In Case You Ever Wonder by Max Lucado

Goodnight, Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

anything by Eric Carle

Nursery Rhymes, Mother Goose, etc.

anything by Beatrix Potter (you can actually get many of her short stories on iBooks on the iPad for free!)

That’s all I can think of right now. It’s been a while since I’ve had a baby at home.

Blessings,

Lindsey

My little guys loved books by Eric Carle and Sandra Boynton the best when they were tiny. “Goodnight, Moon” was a favorite, too, of course, as was “Pat the Bunny.” They are also starting to get into Dr. Seuss (they are 2 and 3 1/2) and especially like “Green Eggs and Ham.”

As for music, we do lots and lots of classical, especially Vivaldi and Bach, mostly because they’re among my favorites, and tend to be cheerful. (I also love Mussorgsky, but some of it is pretty dark and scary for kids!) I do listen to lots of other stuff, too, though — some pop, classic alternative, classic rock, oldies, country, punk, etc. (I have to admit, it warmed the cockles of my once punk-rock heart to see my 2yo dancing to the Descendents!)

Always want to share a recommendation for this cd with anyone who is looking for good music for kids – Bonnie Ridout’s Gimmee Elbow Room

http://www.amazon.com/Gime-Elbow-Room-Bonnie-Rideout/dp/B000006557/ref=ntt_mus_ep_dpi_1

‘Acclaimed American Scottish fiddler Bonnie Rideout, joined by a children’s chorus and accomplished adult artists, shares playful songs of her childhood in Scotland, nursery rhymes and Robert Louis Stevenson’s children’s poems set to music. Among the beguiling selections are “Wee Willie Winkie,” “Fiddler From Dooney,” “There was a Wee Cooper,” and Stevenson’s poem “From a Railway Carriage,” where the enchanting sights to be seen through the window go by faster and faster as the music vividly speeds the train along. Vocalist Rod Cameron’s spoken word recitations of poems are magic and the melodies and lilting rhythms on fiddle, Celtic harp, pennywhistle, guitar, piano, pipes, bodhran and dulcimer match the joyful spirit of songs and narrative. A 1998 Parents’ Choice® Gold Award.”

Our family loves this cd so much!

Here’s yr. 0 and kindergarten on AO and has a wonderful list.

Rachel