Old McDodson had a Farm

Here we go... back to the Pajama Projects!  D. has always been into his Fisher Price Farm.  Its a classic toy, that for some reason, has entertained him for many hours.  Do yours love this simple toy, too?  Anyway, we have added to the collection and have transformed it into an opportunity for some learning fun.  I went and got a piece of green foam board, blue felt, a farm diorama set, and got to work with my glue gun.  I wanted to take some of his favorite books and movies and make them "real" for him to explore.

do you notice the goldfish snack, in the pond :)

Sometimes he plays with it by himself, and makes the animals talk, or "disappear" into the silo.  Sometimes we explore it together and talk about what the animals eat, where they sleep, what they do and how they help us.  We discuss what the farmers do and what types of machines and tools are used on a farm.  While we discuss, we play.  We talk about animals that wouldn't be on the farm - I'll put a whale in the pond, and see what he says, and we will laugh about it.  Or I'll tell him to hide his eyes, and find the animal that is in the wrong place, and put a monkey in the barn, or something silly like that.  We pair up the mommy,daddy and baby animals, and switch them around.

I've found some great farm resources, that's I'd like to share with you as well.  The baby einstein Baby McDonald movie isn't just for babies- its quite educational and appropriate for toddlers as well as preschoolers, and is soothing for a rest time.  "The Big Red Barn" book is one we read at bed time.  DK Readers (Stage 1) "Good Morning, Farm" is a good realistic view of farms, as is the DVD "All About Old McDonald's Farm".
I've added all the items we used into the pajama project store, where you can order them through Amazon and have them shipped right to you.  I hope this helps :)  To find the items on the store page, look in the right hand top corner, click on the "Browse by Category" link under "Farm" to find everything. (  click here: Pajama Projects Store Farm Items)
Hope you are happy to see Pajama Projects back in action...I'm happy to be doing it again! :)