The following is excerpted from Making the Most of Before Five in a Row from Before Five in a Row. © 1997 by Jane Claire Lambert, all rights reserved.

What delights a young child? There are many things, but for most children having someone read him a book is near the top of the list. To luxuriate in the security of a person who will give a child his time, allowing the child to snuggle as close as he wants, and share with him a wonderful story is one of the highlights of childhood! Sometimes a child wants the same story read over and over again. Because the stories are simple ones, this repetition may become tiring for the reader. Before Five in a Row suggests a wide variety of interesting topics and activities to present, now and then, after a story is read. These discussions and activities provide added interest for both the reader and the child.

The stories included in this volume are wonderful stories for early childhood. Because many of them are classics and because they are good, you, along with your older children, may find yourselves appreciating them, too. But, this series of "little lessons" was created especially to bring enjoyment to children ages two through four. The point is not so much to instruct or teach as it is to have a happy introduction to books, provide an interesting, light introduction to many different topics, and to build intimacy between the reader and child. The topical subject headings are only to suggest in what areas these activities might lay a foundation for academic subjects to be encountered by your child in later grades.

Remember that two-year-olds cover a vast range of differing abilities. Some two-year-olds will not yet be able to sit still through an entire story, let alone answer questions or discuss it. They may not want to hunt for items in the illustrations. That's perfectly normal. There are many other ideas in Part Two, The Parents Treasury of Ideas, that you can make use of now and save Part One, The Story Section, for six months or a year. You can't do all of these ideas at once anyway. If you are patient, there will come a day when your child delights in the "story activities", and in the meantime you will have had lots of fun playing together.

Many of the stories used in Before Five in a Row are simple. Some have less detail than other picture books in terms of setting or illustration, etc. Yet each of them has a special warmth and charm that keeps your child wanting to experience them over and over. Several of the stories included have repetitious wording. A young child finds it challenging to be able to tell a story before it's finished. Repetition helps him learn and remember the story so he knows it well enough to beat you to the punch line. In addition, re-reading the story several times allows you to make different comments at each reading. Keep your teaching subtle and your child will enjoy both the stories and the related activities you share together.

For each story title chosen for Before Five in a Row you will find suggested activities. These activities can follow the reading of the stories. Many times you will read a story and not do any activity directly following it. Other times you will decide to bring up a topic and talk it over together. You might choose to read one of the stories during the day and save a question or discussion for lunch or dinner time. You could say, "Remember when we read about the little girl on the bus? What other ways are there to get from one place to another?" You can even bring up activities or questions from previously read stories when you are on a walk together, standing in line at the supermarket, or during bath time, etc. Anytime is a good time to share the stories and activities that build a warm closeness between a parent and child.

You will undoubtedly read many other stories not included in Before Five in a Row. There are wonderful Richard Scarry stories, the beloved books of Dr. Seuss, Beatrix Potter and many, many more waiting to be discovered and read. But, when you want a special story with "ready to use" activities and ideas that inspire creative interaction, pick up a Before Five in a Row story and enjoy!

The subject heading listed at each story activity shows how the ideas in Before Five in a Row lay the foundation for future formal academic training in each of these subject areas. Before Five in a Row is not attempting to teach academics, but rather to provide a strong foundation of academics "readiness". Resist the temptation to try to create two-year-old professors to be proud of. In the long run, pushing toddlers to leap tall academic buildings in a single bound does not produce the results most parents want. Metaphorically speaking, it's like trying to teach a child to walk before he's mastered scooting, rolling and crawling! Some children might be able to learn academic material at a very early age, but vital maturity steps have been skipped in the rush.

Above all, the time between ages two and four should be a time of sharing, hugging, reading, singing, dancing, puzzles, blocks, outdoor excursions, swinging high, playing in the sand box and enjoying fascinating introductions to the wonderful world of life.

The ideas presented in Before Five in a Row are not meant to teach in depth, but only to enhance your child's awareness of the world around him and create memorable times of interaction between you. So, don't take the academic titles too seriously. They are only provided to show you what areas of future learning you'll be developing. Also, a short Bible verse has been included for each lesson plan, if you care to use it.

Besides Before Five in a Row stories and activities, make sure you include many different kinds of play with your child. Enjoy gamses like Ring around the Rosy, London Bridge is Falling Down, and Hide and Seek. There are also the finger-play hand games. Perhaps you remember, "This is the church, this is the steeple, open the doors and see all the people," from your own childhood. Have fun making creative use of puppets and puppet plays. (Puppets don't need to be expensive. Simple homemade puppets delight children at this age.) Take time to enjoy the wonders of nature together. Whether gazing at the stars or watching an industrious ant or bee, it is good to appreciate God's creation. Spend lots of time together searching for exciting examples of beauty and wonder.

Remember, too, that activities in which you take the time to include your child, such as going to a children's play, short music or dance programs, or even trips to certain interesting stores all help to broaden his experience of life. He becomes more aware and pleasantly excited about the world around him, stimulating his natural curiosity and desire to know more. This desire to learn is the foundation you want firmly in place long before you begin his formal academic training. When a child is excited and curious, he wants to learn! To help you recall many activities that you might have played once but forgotten, there is a Parents Treasury of Creative Ideas for Learning Readiness beginning on page 103 which contains many additional ideas and projects for ages two through four.

Someday, when our children are grown, very few of us will say, "I wish I had sold more at my job, or won more awards at work, or opened more new accounts for my employer." But many of us may say, "I wish I had spent more time with my children when they were young."

It is a very brief window of time, but a solid foundation during these early years can make a lifetime of difference for you and your child. Enjoy some of the ideas in Before Five in a Row and make the most of these precious years!

Jane Claire Lambert
April, 1997