At the Hairdresser (Read at Home: First Experiences)
#5 of 18 in Read with Biff, Chip & Kipper. First experiences Series
on Goodreads (11)
What’s inside...
Read At Home is a best-selling home reading series for young, beginner readers featuring popular Oxford Reading Tree characters. The series includes books designed for parents to read with their children to support their reading development at home. The First Experiences books introduce children to new situations and help parents explore the wider world, discuss shared feelings, and build vocabulary through fun activities. The books are written at Level 4, suitable for children building confidence in reading, recognizing 30-50 words by sight, and reading with less support. Each story includes puzzles and games to encourage reading skills and make reading enjoyable. The series boasts a successful team of authors and illustrators, Roderick Hunt, Annemarie Young, and Alex Brychta, who bring the stories to life with their humorous and detailed illustrations.
Discussion points
How do you think the character felt when they first sat in the hairdresser's chair? Can you relate to that feeling?
What are some of the different tools the hairdresser uses? Which one would you like to learn more about?
Why is it important to communicate clearly with the hairdresser about how you want your hair done?
How did the character's mood change from the beginning of the book to the end? What made them feel better?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to mimic the emotions of the characters during different scenes, enhancing your child’s emotional understanding.
Pause at key moments in the story to ask predictive questions, encouraging your child to think ahead about possible outcomes.
After reading, have a fun role-play session where one of you is the hairdresser and the other is the customer, using safe household items as ‘tools’.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding new experiences
Explanation: The story introduces young readers to the scenario of going to a hairdresser, making the unfamiliar setting more approachable.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this when they encounter new situations or environments, reducing anxiety and enhancing adaptability.
Example Lesson: Following instructions
Explanation: Characters in the book follow the hairdresser’s instructions which emphasizes the importance of listening and cooperating.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of following directions in school, at home, or in activities for safety and better outcomes.
Example Lesson: Patience
Explanation: Sitting still while getting a haircut demonstrates the value of patience.
Real-World Application: Children learn to stay patient during activities that require waiting or when they may not initially see the immediate benefit.
Example Lesson: Self-expression
Explanation: Choosing a hairstyle in the book highlights personal preferences and self-expression.
Real-World Application: This can empower children to make choices about their appearance and other personal decisions, fostering independence and confidence.
Example Lesson: Handling nervousness
Explanation: The book portrays a character feeling nervous about a haircut but eventually feels good about the new look, teaching how to manage apprehensions.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to understand and manage their fears in new or seemingly daunting scenarios, ensuring they grow emotionally.