Enormous Turnip Pull
What you need
- a cushion stuffed inside a pillowcase, as the turnip
- a blanket to plant it under
- three soft toys to join in: a dog, a cat and a mouse
How to do it
- Tell the story of the enormous turnip: the farmer pulls and pulls, then calls for help, one helper after another, until the little mouse joins in.
- Push the turnip under the blanket with its top poking out, and let your child be the farmer who pulls first.
- Join the line one at a time as each helper in the story, holding the waist of the one in front, with the soft toys joining on the end.
- When the mouse arrives, count "One, two, three, pull!" and all tumble back gently onto the cushions as the turnip pops out.
Why it matters
The story repeats itself right up to the end, so they can say every line with you, and the last big pull is shared by the whole line.
What they're learning
- Remembering a story
- Who joins next, all the way to the mouse.
- Pulling together
- Arms round the one in front, all at once.
- Joining in
- Saying the repeated lines with you.
What to look for
Notice them calling for the next helper before you do.
A tip
Pull slowly and tumble back onto sofa cushions or a soft rug, with nothing hard behind anyone.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: you tell the story and they pull on every line
Harder: let them tell the story and choose who joins the line next
