But use The Flip-Flap Body Book with caution. Because repeated readings can lead to some really interesting situations.
For instance.....
....the 5 year old sits down to draw a picture. He draws an odd oval-ish shaped thing. (...and some other stuff...)
When I ask him what it is, he responds quite plainly, "It's the shape of a stomach, Mom." He repeats this to Louci, the Portuguese tutor when she asks. When she doesn't understand, he rephrased his answer in simpler terms: "It's a tummy." He even rubbed his belly for emphasis.
Guess he was paying attention the 327 times we read that section, huh?
Nothing interesting about that one, you say? How 'bout this.....
....the 9 year old sits down to read to the (then 4) 5 yr old. He picks The Flip-Flap Body Book. He flips immediately to the reproduction section, at the insistance of the 5 year old. Seems the 5 yr old is tired of mommy stopping before she gets to that part.
The 9 yr old has no such qualms and reads to his younger brother all about how babies are made, grown and born. Complete with commentary: "see, this is what the baby really looks like at this point....isn't that ugly, Adventurer?! But see, it's only as big as this dot...that's not so ugly, is it?" Cool, cross Sex Ed off the list. We've got that covered.
The 9 yr old even read the bold section titles, often phrased as questions, and had the (then 4) yr old repeat the questions before he'd go on to read the answers. So I was not too surprised when I heard, "So what happens when the sperm gets to the egg?" coming from my youngest son....and then answered by my second son as he read the corresponding answering passage.
Yea, fun times. I even have video, but it won't post here....
Seriously -- it's a great book, and introduces big topics in a way that little people are totally comfortable with. Just prepare yourself for the inevitable interesting moments that are sure to follow.
On a lighter note, and so I don't leave you terrified of the book, they also compared the size of their hands to the size of the baby hand in the book, as per the directions on the last page.
Isn't sweetness and brotherly love like this totally worth the, -ahem-, more embarrassing moments?
Yea, I think so, too.
note: I bought this book as part of a Sonlight Core. No one is paying me or otherwise reimbursing me for this splendid review. I just had these 2 great moments to share, and the book tied them together nicely. Really, I promise.
My kids adore this book. But Quince loves the poo best hehehe. I wish he was as interested in the baby part !! Interesting coversations around here.
ReplyDeleteYep, the girls enjoy that book at our house too [smile].
ReplyDelete~Luke
Hmm... one book we didn't have! ;)
ReplyDeleteFYI, teach these things before their hormones kick in. They have a much easier time listening. :)
I think I love the flip flap body book! And I love your guys learning together - so cool!
ReplyDeleteI need this book! Looks like a great way to teach!
ReplyDeleteAnother fifth grade parent told me that her son had been asking questions about some things he'd heard at school about sex. And that I might want to talk to my son about it. Ugh! What an awkward talk!
He and I were going to the grocery store, 30 minutes away, so I thought this will be a good time to talk. I asked what he knew about sex. He said, "I remember that dog trying to do that to your leg one time. And that's all I know and I don't want to talk about it anymore. " I kept talking and he just put his fingers in his ears and started humming loudly. I was sort of glad to dodge that bullet, but know it'll come around again soon!