Core Skills Analysis
Language Arts
The 1-year-old watched The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, an activity that introduced books and storytelling through moving images. They encountered the idea that books can be shared, valued, and connected with stories. At this age, watching supported early attention, listening, and visual engagement rather than independent reading. The experience also connected literacy with International Literacy Day.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
The 1-year-old took part in a shared cultural literacy experience by watching a story with an adult or group. This supported participation in a meaningful event and helped them experience books as enjoyable and important. The activity may have encouraged calm observation and shared attention, although no specific emotional response was reported.
Understanding the World
The 1-year-old was introduced to the idea of an international day celebrating literacy. Through the film, they encountered a creative representation of books and their place in people’s lives. This provided an early opportunity to connect a media experience with a wider community event, without requiring them to understand the full meaning of the celebration.
Tips
Tips: Revisit the film with a sturdy picture book, pointing to the cover, pages, and illustrations while naming them simply. Invite the child to turn pages, choose between two books, or carry a book to a reading space to build positive book routines. Create a small “book day” basket with familiar books and let the child explore it safely through looking, touching, and listening. Sing a short rhyme or describe pictures after reading to extend shared attention and early communication.
Book Recommendations
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle: A repetitive, colorful picture book that supports shared looking, listening, and early participation.
- Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell: An interactive lift-the-flap book that encourages curiosity and engagement with books.
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle: A widely available illustrated story that supports attention to pictures, repeated language, and book handling.
Learning Standards
- Early Years Foundation Stage, Communication and Language – Listening, Attention and Understanding: Watching a story supported early attention and listening in a shared activity.
- Early Years Foundation Stage, Literacy – Comprehension: The film introduced the child to stories and the enjoyment of books.
- Early Years Foundation Stage, Literacy – Word Reading: The activity provided an early experience of books, although no independent word reading was expected.
- Early Years Foundation Stage, Expressive Arts and Design: The animated film offered an early encounter with visual storytelling and creative representation.
Try This Next
- Book-choice activity: offer two board books and let the child choose one to explore.
- Picture-pointing game: point to familiar objects in a book and name each one.
- Create a simple book basket or reading corner for daily shared reading.
- Draw or collage a large book shape using paper, crayons, and safe stickers.