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ABOUT THE DOLL FESTIVAL
In Japan, the Doll Festival is celebrated on March 3rd. On that day,
traditional dolls, passed down from mother to daughter, are displayed
on a tiered stand covered with red cloth. Also on the stand are peach
blossoms, miniature household items, and foods made especially for
the festival. Although the holiday honors young girls, you can include
boys in your celebration. Make a stand for your child’s dolls or action
figures by covering a step stool or bookcase shelves with red cloth
or paper. Then let your child arrange the dolls as desired.
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DOLL COLLAGE
Give your child pictures of dolls or action figures cut
from toy catalogs or ads. Invite him to glue the pictures on red
paper any way he wishes. If your child wants to glue the doll pictures
in rows, draw lines across the paper for the dolls to stand on. |
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CRAFT STICK DOLLS
Let your child make her own dolls or action figures. Have her draw
faces on jumbo craft sticks or tongue depressors. Then have her
glue on yarn for hair, and scraps of fabric or colorful paper for
clothes. To make a simple stand for the dolls, cut slits in the
lid of a shoebox. (Let your child paint the shoebox and lid red,
if she wishes.) Then help her insert her dolls or action figures
in the slits so that her creations appear to be standing.
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WHO AM I?
Help your child line up several dolls or action figures.
Talk about what the dolls look like and the actions they are made
to perform. Then play a simple guessing game. Start by giving your
child clues, such as “I am a girl. I have blond hair. My name starts
with the B sound.” Then ask, “Who am I?” (Barbie) Give additional
clues if necessary. When your child guesses correctly, let him have
a turn giving clues. |
DOLL MATH GAMES
Play one or more of the following games with your child.
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Line up dolls or action figures and count them. |
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Rubber-stamp prints of dolls or action figures on paper.
Count them, then label the paper with that number. |
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Line up five chairs. Ask: “Can you place your doll on the
second chair? On the fifth chair? On the third chair?” and so
on.
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DOLL FESTIVAL
FUN
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Visit a doll museum or doll shop to view collectible dolls. |
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Display a few of your own special dolls from your childhood.
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Talk about objects that are displayed or used only on special
occasions, such as holiday decorations or dress-up clothing. |
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SING FOR DOLL FESTIVAL
Tune: “The Farmer in the Dell”
Let’s sing a song today.
Let’s sing a song today.
Sing for Doll Festival.
Let’s sing a song today.
Let’s clap our hands today.
Let’s clap our hands today.
Clap for Doll Festival.
Let’s clap our hands today.
Continue with other verses, such as “Let’s dance around today” or
“Let’s tap our toes today.”
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DOLL TEA PARTY
Let your child host a tea party for favorite dolls or action figures.
Serve juice for tea, along with small cakes topped with pastel colors
of frosting. Or make finger sandwiches using fruit flavored cream
cheese. If you wish, decorate the party table with real or artificial
spring blossoms. |
