A Present for Teddy

What you need

• a soft toy
• a small toy to give
• a tea towel or a sheet of wrapping paper

How to do it

1. Sit teddy on a cushion and say, "Teddy would love a present. What shall we give?"
2. Let your toddler choose a toy from the toy box.
3. Lay the tea towel or paper flat, put the toy in the middle and help them fold the sides over.
4. Let them carry the present to teddy and hand it over: "Here you are, Teddy!"
5. Make teddy open it and say thank you, then wrap a present for another toy.

Why it matters

Wrapping something up and handing it over acts out a real Christmas moment, and choosing a present means thinking about someone else.

What they're learning

Folding

Folding a cloth or paper over a toy is careful work for small hands.

Giving

Choosing for teddy and handing it over is thinking about someone else.

Pretend play

Talking for teddy, and teddy saying thank you, is make-believe they love.

What to look for

Watch for them choosing a toy and saying something like "for teddy" as they hand it over.

A tip

No tape needed: folding the cloth over is enough. Pick a toy too big to fit through a toilet roll tube.

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