Written By: Kaitlin Bednarz M.S., CCC-SLP
Does your child have a difficult time sitting while reading books? If your answer was “yes”, then we have an idea for you! The next time you grab a book, try reading a flap book! These books have words, pictures, and a flap that your child can open to reveal a hidden picture. This flap gives your child a way to interact with the book and provides a task for your child to engage with the book. Here are some strategies to also encourage speech and language while interacting with the flap:
Ask your child to go on a search to find the flap. You can target “yes”/”no” questions during this by asking “is the flap on the tiger?”
Play peek-a-boo using the flap. Start with “peek-a” then open the flap and yell “boo!”
Prompt your child to request for “open” or “open flap” or “open + item” (i.e., open leaf).
Practice using the phrase “I see ____” to the label of the item under the flap
Describe what is under the flap by talking about descriptor words and attributes (i.e., red apple, big dog, etc.
These are some of our favorite flap books at Jump Start Center:
Where’s Spot by Eric Hill
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
“Where is Baby’s __” Series by Karen Katz
Do Cows Meow? by Salina Yoon
Peek-a-Moo by Marie Torres Cimarusti
First 100 Words Flap Book by Natalie Boyd, Roger Priddy
And many more!
During your next storytime, try a lift-the-flap book to help keep your child engaged while reading and have fun discovering the hidden pictures!