Choosing Books for Infants and Toddlers, with Sara Rizik-Baer

What’s important to look for when choosing books for infants and toddlers?In this episode of the Learn With Less podcast, Ayelet is joined by Sara Rizik-Baer, who serves as Deputy Director of the nonprofit organization, Tandem Partners in Early Learning. Sara has over 10 years of experience working in early education and family engagement. She has held multiple roles in the field as a family literacy specialist, professional development provider, preschool and transitional kindergarten literacy coach, and bilingual classroom teacher. Sara is fervently passionate about literacy, believes it takes a community to raise a child and wants to support every adult in that community with their ability to contribute to each child’s well-being and academic development. She also firmly believes that early education and specifically early literacy is the key to positive social change. On this episode, we discuss important factors for choosing books for infants and toddlers, how to actively engage infants and toddlers in early literacy experiences, and Sara’s top tips and resources for choosing excellent books for (and reading them with!) your infant or toddler.Great resources we mentioned in this podcast episode:Book sharing tips from TandemThink Outside The Text, a Learn With Less podcast episodeLift The Flap For Language Book, from Learn With LessColorín ColoradoReading RocketsBe Boy Buzz, by Bell HooksBaby Loves Aerospace Engineering, by Ruth SpiroBaby Loves Coding, by Ruth SpiroCounting On Community, by Innosanta NagaraOh, Oh, Baby Boy, by Janine McBethFrom Head To Toe, by Eric CarleBrown Bear, Brown Bear, by Eric CarleMy Very First Book of Colors, by Eric CarleConnect With UsAyelet: Facebook / Instagram / PinterestSara and Tandem: Website / Facebook Text Transcript of this episodeAyelet: So today I am speaking with Sara Rizik-Baer, who serves as deputy director of the nonprofit organization, Tandem Partners in Early Learning. So Sara has over 10 years of experience working in early childhood education and in family engagement. And she’s passionate about literacy. She believes that it takes a community to raise a child, and wants to support every adult in that community with their ability to contribute to each child’s wellbeing and academic development. She also firmly believes that early education and specifically early literacy is the key to positive social change. So Sara, welcome. Thank you so much for being here.Sara: I am so excited to be here and talk about one of the things that I’m absolutely passionate about. Yes. So let’s get started. Ayelet: Yeah, let’s do it. All right. So I have asked you to come onto the show today to speak to us about choosing books for infants and toddlers. But first I’d love for you to just give us a little bit more of your story. Tell us about you and how you got into the work that you’re doing today. Sara: Yeah. So I started my career actually as a second grade bilingual teacher.