Re-enactment
Episode # 143. Droopy Flowers
In a flat, square-shaped box, the children give the Storypeople three flowers. As the sun beats down, the flowers begin to droop. Auntie tries to hold them up, but nothing she does succeeds. So the children give her a set of small, medium, and large watering cans to match the sizes of the flowers. Auntie has no trouble watering the small and medium sized flowers, but the large watering can is too heavy, even with Mr. Man’s help. The children help him figure out that he can scoop water from the large can using the small can. Everyone is happy that the large flower can get the water it needs, too.

Directions
Show your child different kinds of flowers, either in a garden or in a book. Help him notice the various colors and petal shapes. If you are able, help him learn the names for the various parts of the flowers or the names of each type of flower you see.

On a piece of construction paper, draw several different sized flower stems with a large dot just above the top of the stem. Then provide lots of pre-cut construction paper petals of various sizes, shapes, and colors. Note: Older children may be able to do the drawing and cutting for themselves.

Let your child choose petals to glue onto the top of the stems (around the dots). When his garden is done, cut the flowers so there is only one flower per picture. Let your child sort the flowers by size, from smallest to largest. Then let him sort into other kinds of sets, e.g., by color or petal shape.

If you wish to display the flowers your child has made, cut out the extra paper around the stem, tape the stem to a pipe cleaner, and place the bouquet of flowers in an empty bottle or jar.

Talk About It
While viewing the Droopy Flowers episode, you might start a conversation by asking your child: “What do you think is wrong with the flowers?” or “How can Auntie water the big flower?” After viewing, you might visit a garden and your child notice and name all the different kinds of flowers you see.

As you talk about the things on screen, you can help expand your child’s vocabulary by alternating the words you use with their synonyms. In the Droopy Flowers episode you might describe the flowers as drooping or wilting.