To help reinforce the lessons of The Upside Down Show, here are some play-at-home ideas based on each episode written by Anna Housley Juster, M.A., Director of Content for Sesame Street and The Upside Down Show.
Episode 101: Movie
Skills Developed:
Creativity
Thinking & Reasoning
Imagination
Language
At the end of the show David and Shane give your child an imaginary video camera. You can extend your child's creativity and boost thinking and reasoning skills by helping to create her own movie at home. Take turns holding the imaginary camera and acting. Ask your child, "What will your movie be about?" and then offer some ideas. "Will there be animals in your movie? How do they move? What do they sound like?"
When the movie debuts (i.e., when your child acts out the movie for family and friends complete with tickets your child can make herself!)
tell her that it is "stupendous" to help her remember the vocabulary she learned while watching. Pretend to interview her for the local newspaper and write the story of her creative process and inspiration. Read what you've written back to her and ask her what words she would use to describe her movie.
Taking the pretend play further while allowing your child to take the lead fosters imagination and promotes language skills--and gives you a wonderful window into your child's thinking.
