The Power of the Peg Doll

 I am happy to share that my peg dolls have been purchased and shipped all around the world along with my play mats, mountains, boats, & more.  As an early childhood educator and parent, I know that children's imaginations are sparked by the simplest things - a cardboard box, a stick, a peg doll. These simple wood turning dolls are handcrafted by a fellow Ohio artisan and hand painted by me.  They are sealed with a natural, non toxic sealer safe for children.

 Peg dolls can be anything and everything. One simple doll painted with a green body can be a zookeeper, a fairy, a mommy, a garbage man, and so much more.

 No bells. No whistles. No batteries. No small pieces to break off.  These peg dolls are unisex and hold a whole universe of imagination within them.

 Children have BIG ideas for these little peg dolls.  Adults do, too.  I have heard that they are being used for imaginative play, home decor, in classrooms, and even in play therapy!  I love the fact that not only are my peg dolls part of your children's childhood, but also that they can be part of the healing process for children. That's the power of the peg doll.  My heart is full.

This is the magic of childhood.

Have a fun and playful day!
Mel

Pigeon's Pretend Pet Shop

 The Grand Opening was a success. Lots of pets found good homes.  G asked very good questions of the customers like "What size pet do you want?" or ""Are you a person who likes snakes?" or "This hedgehog needs a lot of care.  Can you do that?"

 "Would you like to hold these baby hamsters? They are sooo cute and were just born." Read this in your head with a tiny, squeaky voice.

 "Hedgehogs need a lot of care.  And lettuce.  They looove lettuce.  I think they might even like asparagus, too, but I am not sure.  I saw in a book once that they like apples and strawberries. Where is that book?"

Baby Chameleon joined up this morning.  He was hiding somewhere.  "Probably using his camouflage, so you couldn't see him."  :)  That makes my heart happy that she knows about animal camouflage and uses it properly in a sentence.  We have been talking about chameleons changing colors - she was listening.

Well, the pet shop is about to open for the morning, so I have to go.

Have a fun and playful day!
Mel

Smelly Sand

I have a new invention!

It's called Smelly Sand.

The Kids looooove it! And it's cheap and easy - so adults will love it, too.

I used 3 containers of salt. They were $.49 at Kroger. I used the Kroger brand. Then I add 10 packs of any flavor of Kool-Aid (again, I used generic). Then just stir. I used tropical punch.

Smell is the sense that signals the brain. Some smells even "activate" the brain and help the learning process.

The kids can sift and stir and the smells just keeps wafting through the air.

One child said, "Ms. Mel, I wish the beach smelled like this."

:)

Science Center Tour

I made these discovery jars with jars that I found at the dollar store and rice and a few small items. The kids roll around the jars and look for items hidden in the rice.
Items from nature or even plastic bugs can be used as counters. Yes, math & science.
A body model and a model of teeth help promote good health.
A terrarium filled with moss and plants and other items from nature is placed in front of the window ofr the kids to observe.
We found a nest on the playground and brought it inside.
Here is a picture of how the shelves should look - so the kids know where to put things back after they have played with it.
Books are a must. Books on animals, bugs, pets, nature.
Here are simple plastic bugs and some trays for sorting.
A body parts puzzle.
A bucket of animals.
Plants and a log. Nature. Science for preschoolers is so easy.
My dad made lock boxes and they are kept in the science area. Kids stuff all kinds of items in them.
Several globes are in the science area, along with toy frogs and scales for weighing rocks, bugs, etc. One year, we used the scales to weigh baby guinea pigs.
Replicas of real animals like this snake is also placed in the science area.

I love science - I know, it's not really girly, but science can be fun!