Grow, Grow, Grow!
A story about Elmo and his daddy using a book to grow a flower.
Just like growing a plant, reading together requires care, nurturing, and time! Learn about all the things plants and Muppet friends need to grow in this storybook.
Choose a story and pick one of three levels. To extend learning, you can:
Discover Words
Focus on letters and basic sounds by asking “What letter or sound does this word start with?”
Focus on the pictures by asking “Can you find the circles in this picture?” or “What colors do you see here?”
Help children figure out what words mean by asking “What do you see in this picture?”
Explore More
Focus on the storyline by asking “What is happening here?”
Help children predict what might happen next by asking “What do you think Elmo might do next?” or “What do you want to happen next?”
Story Time
Read the story once, then start again and ask kids to “read” the story to you in their own words.
Encourage children to add on to the story by asking “What do you think happens after this story ends?” or “What if this weren’t the end? What might happen next?”
All Levels
Let children control the story experience by clicking the arrows to turn the pages, and clicking the words to hear what they mean and see the picture wiggle.
Relate the story back to children’s own experiences and feelings.
Ask children to tell you about their favorite part of the story.
After reading, consider the ways that you may be able to grow a seed in your own space! Encourage young ones to follow Elmo’s steps in the story and grow their own flower or plant.
Remind kids that stories can teach us about the world. When choosing a book, you might say, “What do you want to learn about today?”
A Star Reader
There are many steps to reading, and all are important to becoming a great reader. It’s a process!
My Favorite Part
Help little ones share special parts of stories in words and pictures.
Read with Me
Track your reading progress with some printable bookmarks!
The Perfect Book: An Act Along Story
Make story time more engaging by encouraging children to act out what they hear!
Tips for Shared Reading with Children Birth to Three
Tips for using reading time to bond with your child and build their language and literacy skills.
Tips for Shared Reading with Children Three to Five
Tips to make shared reading a time for learning and connection.
A Mighty Voice
Finding confidence in the ways that you tell stories will make them even more special to the children you share them with.