Paper Plate Panda

I wanted to make a pig mask with paper plates but the thought of mixing pink paint and cleaning up made me squeeze my brain harder for creative juices. The panda mask is the best I could come up with - minimal painting and almost mess-free.

Sophie loves bears and pandas, so she was very excited when she saw the mask. I added a black pom pom to make it even more irresistible for her. She used to call a panda "bear bear", then she began calling it "Oso" when Playhouse Disney started showing "Inspector Oso". Now, she calls it "da" (panda) at last (her utterances are still mainly monosyllabic).

Sophie was so hilarious at times. She loves puppets and plush toys, not because they are adorable but because they (actually Papa and Mama) talk and sing to her. Nowadays, she would also be the puppeteer and do what we do. I used to be quite apprehensive about finger or hand puppets and flannel boards as a teaching tool. I can say now that I am a convert. I am planning to use them for storytelling soon (I have to make them first!).

Imagine that! Sophie was having a conversation with the mask. She even tried to read "it" a book! I was so tickled by her character sometimes. She may not be as bright or "tamed" as many other toddlers, but she is very endearing. Like Papa always say after she was born, "... this kind of baby is exactly what I want... and more!" And I have to agree.

End Product - Paper Plate Panda