Pair Hunting
Episode # 151. Comfy Slippers
In a small, square box, the children give the Storypeople a pair of slippers. Grandpappa starts to put the slippers on his feet when Fido takes one of them. To help Grandpappa catch Fido, the children give Grandpappa a bone. Grandpappa tempts Fido to trade the bone for the slipper. When that doesn't work, the children provide bigger and bigger bones. When the bone is very big, Fido drops the slipper and happily licks his new bone. Grandpappa happily puts on his left slipper.

Directions
Explain to your child that a "pair" is something that comes in twos (like Grandpappa's slippers). Pick a day (or an afternoon) to go "pair hunting." Help your child look around his home and neighborhood for things that come in pairs. Body parts (e.g., eyes, ears, feet, etc.) and clothing items (socks, shoes, mittens, etc.) will be easy examples. Also try to find more complicated pairs (e.g., a pair of glasses is only one thing, but it has two lenses and two ear pieces.) As you discover each pair, imagine together what it would be like if one of the pair was missing (e.g., if one of the wheels on a bicycle was gone, or if one side of a pair of ear muffs was missing).

With older children you might also introduce the concept of "symmetry" and look for symmetrical pairs (where each side of the pair is a mirror image of the other). Examples might include pillars supporting an arch, a pair of gloves, or the two parts of a yin and yang symbol. At the end of your hunt, share a special "pair" snack with your child. Treats like some cupcakes, candy bars, or popsicles come in pairs that can be easily shared. Or teach or your child about homonyms (words that are different but sound alike) by sharing a pear!

Talk About It
While viewing the Comfy Slipper episode, you might start a conversation by asking your child: "How can Grandpappa get his slipper back from Fido?" or "What might Fido like better than a slipper?"

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 Comfy Slipper episode you might describe the size of the bone as very big, very large, enormous, or mammoth.