Puzzles
Episode # 154. Hole in the Fence
In a flat, rectangular-shaped box, the children give the Storypeople a fence with a hole in it. Mr. Man, Grandpappa, Brother, and Sister, Grandmamma all try to fit through the small hole, but they are all too big. Who can fit through this hole? Why, Little Dog Fido, of course! Then a somewhat larger hole appears. Who will fit this time? Grandmamma. The next two holes are still too small for Mr. Man and Grandpappa, but Brother and Sister fit just fine. Then a Grandpappa-sized hole appears, leaving Mr. Man all alone. Finally, the children provide a hole big enough for Mr. Man and everyone is happy.

Directions
Together with your child assemble a puzzle. Make sure that the pieces are large enough for your child to grab and move easily and that there are enough pieces to be challenging, but not so many as to be frustrating. Encourage your child to notice the size and shape of the empty spaces, along with the color of the surrounding picture, to find each appropriate piece. From time to time, point out a clue (e.g., the shape of an unusual edge or a unique feature of the picture) and ask your child to use the clue to predict what the piece she needs will look like.

For added fun, purchase a blank puzzle (available at many crafts stores), and put a special message for your child on the puzzle. Then when your child succeeds in putting together the puzzle, she will get a special message from you!

Talk About It
While viewing the Hole in the Fence episode, you might start a conversation by asking your child: "Who will fit through that hole?"

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 Hole in the Fence episode you might say that Little Dog Fido fits through the hole or that he matches the hole.