ColorNest
The letter B is the second letter of the English alphabet and makes a clear 'buh' sound, as in 'bear' and 'ball.' Bears are large mammals found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. There are eight species of bears worldwide, including the polar bear, grizzly bear, and giant panda. Despite their large size, bears are surprisingly fast — grizzly bears can run up to 35 miles per hour in short bursts. The round ball in this picture makes the 'buh' sound too, and balls have been used in games and sports by humans for thousands of years — evidence of ball games dates back over 3,000 years in ancient Mesoamerica.
Coloring ideas: color the bubble B in a bold solid color — bright blue to match the 'B is for blue' connection, or try golden yellow for contrast. Give the bear cub a warm brown body with a slightly lighter cream on its muzzle and belly. Color the ball in bright rainbow stripes — red, orange, yellow, green, and blue.
Point to the letter B, the bear, and the ball and say each word clearly with your toddler: 'B-b-bear, B-b-ball.' The repeated initial consonant sound helps young children develop phonological awareness, an important pre-reading skill.
