Toddler Pretend Play Activities

I guess babies just wake up one day and decide they're into Pretend Play.  At least that's how it seemed to happen with Jude.  He now talks to his plush, drives his toy cars all over town on his carpeted bedroom floor, and feeds pieces of play dough to his plastic farm animals with slurping sound effects for my listening pleasure!  It's adorable!  Right now I'm in the watch and just-go-along with it stage. I'm sometimes allowed to sneak in a suggestion, but mostly I get to sit back and enjoy his imagination expanding and exploring the possibilities!
Loving every minute of it, 
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  Any suggestions on Pretend Play?
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Toddler Pretend Play Activities

Plush Are Great Learning Toys

"Research shows that those children who play with plush toys regularly are able to express themselves quite emphatically and are calmer during stressful situations." 
Since Jude has too many plush for me to count, according to this statement, I believe he's going to be the calmest kid on his block! Emphatic too, as Jude emphatically explains to his newest plush, Curious George, what the house rules are, and that Luvie, is never to be messed with!  Although Jude didn't use those exact words, I do believe he finished his little talk with, "I think we both understand each other now!" 
Hugs and Loves, 
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  Who were some of your grandkids'/kids' favorite plush characters?
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Plush Toys are Learning Toys 

Discovering Facial Features

Once your little one figures out they have facial features, their next logical step is to discover who else has them!  I've found that stuffed animals are a terrific place to start.  Obviously, these darling, little critters were built to withstand the poking, prodding and pulling which a face has to endure through the early stages of discovery.  Thank goodness for small, plush favors!
Best,
Bubbie and Jude
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Lovies, and Blankies, and Binkies...oh, my!

Just the other day, I discovered my grandson offering to share his precious, satiny "lovie" with the cat.  This was amazing to me!  Not one of my three children would have shared their blankies with anyone or any living thing.  The best they would do, when no one was looking, was to allow a favorite plush or doll to borrow it for a short time, while under their watchful eyes.  I found that blankies, lovies and binkies, take on a life of their own.  They become a he or a she, always need protecting, never need washing, can withstand the most treacherous excursions, and are able to calm and soothe, during the most critical times!  Hey!  That sounds pretty good to me!  Maybe I ought to get one for myself?

Sweet dreams,

Bubbie

P.S. How about a "blankie" story of your own?
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