Opposites

I have been starting to work with Snugglepuppy on opposites. We got the book from the library, Exactly the Opposite by Tana Hoban. I like this one because there are no words, so you have to decide on your own what opposite the photos are supposed to represent. If you have ever read a Tana Hoban book, you know she uses natural photographs of everyday things. It is easier for children to connect when they see familiar things they recognize.

Another book that we have is the Richard Scarry board book Huckle's Opposites. It's a cute little book that tells a story and has the opposite words in bold, so it's easy to pick them out. The book is ideal for retelling by children.

I also like 2 pop-up/pull-the-tab books on opposites. The first is Popposites. It is very interactive, things to lift, pull and pop. Kids really get into it. The other is called In and Out: A Baby Bug Pop-Up Book. This one has a pop-up on every page with a box showing a bug inside or outside, on top or under. It is really exciting for the kids to see what is coming up next.

There are tons of books you can get to teach about opposites (see below for some of our favorites), but I have found the best way kids learn is to point them out in everyday play. For example, use the words "fast" and "slow" when playing with cars. Use "over" and "under" when they are building a fort or "in front" and "behind" when they are playing hide and seek. The more you use the words, the more children will pick them up and begin using them correctly themselves.

Please leave a comment and let me know your favorite opposites book!