Book Review: Llama Llama Misses Mama
At The Nest Learning Center, we love reading stories that help children understand and express their big feelings. One of our favorites is Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney. This beautifully written and illustrated book is a wonderful tool for helping our little ones navigate the emotions that can come with saying goodbye to their families in the morning.
The story follows Llama Llama on his first day of preschool. He's excited at first, but when his Mama Llama leaves, he starts to feel sad and lonely. His worried feelings grow and grow as he misses her. This is such a relatable experience for many of our young learners, and the book's gentle rhymes and expressive illustrations show children that it's okay to feel this way.
As the day goes on, Llama Llama gets busy with fun activities and friends, and he starts to feel better. The book beautifully teaches that while it's normal to miss your family, daycare is a place full of fun, new experiences, and friends.
We especially love how Mama Llama always comes back. This simple, reassuring message helps children build trust and feel secure in their new environment. It’s a powerful lesson in emotional regulation and helps children understand that goodbyes are not forever.
This book is more than just a story; it's a conversation starter. We use it in our classrooms to talk about feelings, friendships, and the excitement of learning new things. It helps us reinforce the message that The Nest is a safe, loving, and fun place to be, and that we are all a big family here.
Bringing the Story to Life in Our Classrooms
Reading the story is just the beginning! To help children process the themes of separation and new experiences, our teachers incorporate hands-on activities that build on the book's message.
Feelings Check-In: After reading, we gather for a "feelings circle" where children can use simple words or even emojis to describe how Llama Llama might have felt, and how they feel. This helps them identify and name their own emotions.
Family Photo Wall: We have a special "family photo" corner where children can display a picture of their family. This allows them to see their loved ones throughout the day and feel a connection to home.
Role-Playing Goodbyes: We'll act out a short and sweet goodbye routine, just like Llama Llama's, to practice a smooth transition. This helps to normalize the process and gives children a sense of control.
Creative Expressions: Children are encouraged to draw or paint a picture of their favorite part of the book, or of what makes them happy at daycare. This provides an outlet for expressing their feelings non-verbally.
These activities transform a simple story into a meaningful learning experience, helping our little ones feel confident and secure in their new adventure at The Nest.