Lift and Learn: Benefits of Flap Books and How to Make Your Own

Reading aloud to your child with hearing loss is one of the best ways to grow their listening and language skills. But sometimes, it’s hard for curious and active little ones to sit still for story time. An interactive approach to reading time can be hugely helpful to keep the attention of a busy little one!  One strategy is to introduce “lift-the-flap” books. The pictures hidden behind flaps create an element of surprise that is highly interesting to young children. 

Lift-the-flap books are a great way to keep a young child’s attention while reading. The flaps make storytime interactive and fun! You don’t need to buy new books when you can use any book at home to make your own. 

How to Make Your Own 

Learn to create and use your own flap books in 3 easy steps!

Step 1: Create the Flap 

Take a book and use sticky notes to cover several pictures on each page. You can use full squares or cut them into smaller shapes for some variety. Bonus of making them yourself — you don’t have to worry about the flap getting torn off like you do in ready-made “lift-the-flap” books! 

Step 2: Talk About What’s Covered 

As you turn the pages, talk about what’s covered before your child lifts the flap! For babies and young toddlers, name what’s covered and make the sound. Encourage them to vocalize as they lift the flap. For older toddlers and preschoolers, provide “clues” about what might be hidden behind the flap to help them guess! 

Step 3: Lift the Flap and Talk Some More

Let your child lift the sticky note. What do they find?! Talk more about the picture. Make comments or sing a fun made-up song together about what is on the page. 

Want to save these steps? Download the infographic

How to Make the Most of Flap Books for Learning to Listen and Talk 

Whether you bought or made your flap book, there are so many different ways to read them with your child! Try these LSL strategies and techniques as you read together. 

Hear It Before They See It 

This strategy is sometimes called audition first and it’s about ear contact before eye contact. Flap books give you the chance to talk about what’s on the page before your little one sees the picture. That helps them focus on the auditory input — which grows their listening skills! 

For example: if you’re reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar, You could say “I wonder what the caterpillar ate next? What do you think it is? It’s a fruit and grows on trees. It’s crunchy!” Allow your child time to think and respond, then remove the flap and show the picture of an apple.

Keep Them On Their Toes 

Sometimes known as the sabotage strategy, this is when you keep things surprising or unexpected to tempt your child into conversation. Select a book that is very familiar to your child with phrases that they know well. While reading aloud, make a mistake so they have to tell you! 

For example: "The caterpillar ate through one apple but he was still THIRSTY." What happens when you lift the flap your child realizes you said the wrong word? 

It’s Your Turn

Create a back-and-forth dialogue by using this serve-and-return strategy. Use flap books to open the door to conversation! Build excitement and anticipation for what you’ll discover. 

For example: “I wonder who it is. Maybe it’s the tiny mouse. Or the big cat.” When your child lifts the flap, look surprised and wait for them to comment. Celebrate their comment and return it by adding a little. “You’re right! It is that big black cat. Meow!”

Download the handout with these tips