#FlannelFriday A Stocking for Hoppy

My post this week is a little bit different than usual. This creation isn’t based on a specific story and probably will never make it’s way to the library. My 4 year old daughter, lil’ A, has a stuffed bunny that goes everywhere with her. When she draws a picture of her family there is Mommy, Daddy, A, and Hoppy. We hung the stockings and A asked if there was one for Hoppy too. Well, there is now!

I purchased a plain red felt stocking at JoAnn’s for 60% (less than $2.50) and created a felt bunny as decoration and to show who the stocking belongs. Lil’ A and Hoppy were thrilled with the results.

My closest girlfriend criticizes how I encourage her imaginative play with Hoppy. Hoppy sometimes eats dinner with us, holds hands between us, and is always included in play. I feel strongly that this level of creative play fosters the growth of her Narrative Skills, making her a stronger reader later on. A’s attachment is not unhealthy, she can step away from Hoppy without meltdown and there are limitations on where Hoppy is allowed to go (she stays in the backpack at school and in the car when at places A would not be able to carry her). She uses her stuffed friend as a way to enhance her experience.

Visit Linda at Notes from the Story Room for the final Friday Flannel Round-up of 2011!

Don’t Let the Pigeon Run This App!

I am a huge fan of apps that feature book characters. So imagine my excitement when I read in Family Fun, Mo Willems had released an app featuring Pigeon! I stopped reading immediately, did not collect $200 and went searching in the app store. $6.99 later I was the proud owner of said app – for research and child entertainment purposes only of course

The app features a choose-your-own-adventure style of story creation and a draw the pigeon game. There are a ton of options in regards to creating stories, including the option for the child to record themselves answering questions about the stinkiest thing and a type of food. Always the child can record their name to be attached to the byline. The app allows for 6 stories to be saved to listen to later.

Drawing the pigeon has a tutorial by Mo and the option to free draw. I now have various pigeonesque drawing in my photo album. It’s kinda hard to follow along with the tutorial on the small screen of an iPhone. It would be much more fun on an iPad but it hasn’t stopped lil’ A!

Overall the app is great and definitely kid approved. My suggestion would be to wait until the price comes down. I had hoped there would be more games like on the PigeonPresents website especially considering the $6.99 price tag, which is the most I have ever spent on an app (even Elmo’s Monster Maker wasn’t that much!). Fingers crossed that future updates will bring more fun!

#FlannelFriday Holiday Extravaganza!

I have been on a flannel making tear this last week with even more ideas floating in my head. Since it is an EXTRAVAGANZA (which every time I type I hear RuPaul’s voice), I have three offerings.

Five Little Snowmen

Five little men made out of snow,
Each with a hat and standing in a row.
Out came the sun and he stayed all day.
One little snowman melted away, and he said,
“Oops – I’m a puddle!”
(repeat 4, 3, 2, 1) 

I came across this rhyme on Nancy Music‘s site a long time ago (It’s the song of the month from January 2008) and just now pulled it out of my idea notebook. I made a slight change to the rhyme to fit my snowmen. The original is a finger play but it works either way.

Five Little Penguins

Five little penguins slipping on the ice,
One fell down, that’s not nice.
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
“No more penguins slipping on the ice!”
(repeat 4, 3, 2, 1) 

I cannot for the life of me remember where I found this rhyme but it’s a simple enough take off from Five Little Monkeys that the kiddos can easily join in. I’m just so in love with my little girl penguins!

Froggy Gets Dressed

This flannel is based off the book Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London. This is always a crowd pleaser!

The Holiday Extravaganza Round-up can be found over at Loons and Quines!