What a dog-gone wonderful time we had in class today. I hope you are enjoying your puppy puppets. Just a couple of comments about those: those sticky Velcro attachments won’t last too long, they might not have even lasted until you got home. So I do recommend making a few stitches with a needle and thread to hold on the ears and the tongue. And apply just a bit of heat to the stamped on eyes and nose in order to set the ink. Then you can expect ROVER to last a long time, and withstand many adventures and washing load trips. The Doghouse can easily be adapted by taping the top closed, and cutting around the bottom, top and doorknob side of the door, so it can be a real dog house for your puppy puppet, and other favorite small animals.
I do recommend making the puppet more sturdy, as this type of puppet play is very important for this age child to expand their world through imaginative play. First children start to mimic adults during imaginary play, so make sure to playfully demonstrate what dogs might do. We did a lot of these today with specific songs:
Old Joe Dog Jing Jang (more locomotor skills)
Dig a hole Wag your tail
Munch a bone Shake your fur
Fetch a stick Chase your tail
Sit and beg Run for joy
I’m sure you can come up with more – Be a DOG! I’ve heard it’s a good life!
Once children have a repertoire for actions as a specific character, they can begin to incorporate them into story lines, and their imaginative play takes off. What kind of adventure is Rover going to have today?
For comments on the book I read in class, and on other excellent books about Dogs, please check the Resources BLOG: http://mcresources.wordpress.com . Cool!
Have a tag-wagging week! Debbie