Float Your Boat
Episode # 165. Little Rocky Boat
In a large, square-shaped box, the children give the Storypeople a rowboat. But the boat is on the beach. How can Grandpappa get it into the water? It is too heavy to push or pull. The children give him a paddle, but that doesn't help much on land. So the children put the boat in the water and give Grandpappa a life jacket. He paddles off towards the horizon. Goodbye.

Directions
At bath time, help your child experiment to find out what kinds of things float. Provide a variety of materials and things (e.g., a toy plastic boat, a quarter, a piece of paper, a piece of Styrofoam, etc.). Let him explore variations (e.g., putting weight onto something that floats).

If he has seen the program, let him make predictions about what kinds of things would make the best life vest, i.e., something that could help a person stay afloat in the water. Help him check his predictions by visiting a dock or marine store and asking a water safety instructor or sales person to show you what life jackets are made of.

As a special treat, take your child on a boat ride, making sure that you both wear life jackets, of course!

Talk About It
While viewing the Little Rocky Boat episode, you might start a conversation by asking your child: "What could Grandpappa do to get the boat in the water?" or "What things does Grandpappa need before he can safely take the boat into the water?"

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 Little Rocky Boat episode you might call what Grandpappa wears a life jacket or a life vest.