Cloth Book Exploration
To develop early book handling and tactile literacy through soft cloth books.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Literacy
- Learning area: Literacy
- Level: EYFS Birth-2
Objectives
- Reaches for books
- Mouths and handles cloth books
- Responds to mirrors
- Shows positive affect around books
Materials
- Cloth books with varied features
- Books with mirrors
- Books with crinkle sounds
- Basket to store at floor level
Instructions
Place a selection of cloth books in a low basket where the baby can access them independently during supervised floor time. Rotate the selection weekly so there is always something new to discover.
When sharing cloth books, squeeze the squeaky bits theatrically: 'Squeeeak! Did you hear that? It makes a funny noise!' Let the baby have a go. Celebrate each squeak they produce.
Point to the fabric mirror: 'Who's that? That's YOU! Hello gorgeous baby!' Babies are fascinated by their own reflection and this simple interaction builds self-awareness alongside book familiarity.
Feel the different texture patches together, naming them simply: 'Rough. Smooth. Bumpy. Silky.' You're not expecting the baby to learn these words yet — just flooding them with vocabulary in context.
Let babies handle books completely on their own terms — chew them, flap them, throw them. Cloth books are designed for exactly this. Never snatch a book away for being handled 'wrongly'.
End each session warmly: 'All done with books! We had a lovely look together.' This closes the experience positively and establishes a rhythm to book time.