Jan 28

CPSIA Links

Posted by funfelt on Wednesday Jan 28, 2009 Under

Hello parents and teachers! Are you aware of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act which will essentially put 100s of thousands of small businesses and crafters out of business? This act goes into effect February 10th and requires all makers and sellers of childrens products - ANY childrens products - to test, and retest their components AND finished products for lead. Now we all want our kids to have safe nontoxic products, but this law even requires expensive testing and retesting of products that do not and will not possibly ever contain lead.  I’ve been writing about this on my personal blog but wanted to share the most important links here as well, so you can educate yourself and also help us contact members of Congress who have the power to delay this law’s enactment until it can be amended, or better yet, repeal it and start over. I do not yet know how this will affect my Story Time Felts business, we are are awaiting testing results of our components but I am praying that our government takes notice and understands that without altering this law, America’s economy will be sorely shaken even further than it already is. Please help spread the word!

Below are some website links to government resources and contact information, press releases, news articles and media coverage about this law.

Consumer Product Safety Commission:

Congress and its Committee on Energy and Commerce:

From Experts in the Field:

Print and Online Articles:

Video:

Audio:

If you know of any other resources I should add to this list, please let me know in the comments. Thanks in advance for helping raise awareness of this cause!

3 COMMENTS »
Nov 25

Make Your Own Felt Figures

Posted by funfelt on Tuesday Nov 25, 2008 Under Fun Felt Activities

The following blog post has a tutorial for making your own flannel board story figures using regular felt and iron on transfers. I think this is a great solution especially when the story or figures you need aren’t available through somewhere like funfelt.com. :) Check it out! These won’t be as durable or washable but they’ll do when there’s no other alternative!

http://aprongirls.blogspot.com/2008/11/feltflannel-board-figures.html

ADD COMMENTS »
Oct 18

Puppets

Posted by funfelt on Saturday Oct 18, 2008 Under Dramatic Play

Puppets

Preschool children love to play and improvise with puppets. Self expression and creativity in children can be enhanced through puppet play. Communication between preschool leaders and children can also be improved, reluctant talkers can be encouraged to hold forth whilst learning to embrace the wonder of creative dramatics. Having children assist in the production of home made puppets make them the obvious choice. Puppets come in different shapes, sizes and types and are generally categorized under the following headings:

Hand puppets - are somewhat like a three fingered glove comprising a fabric body with a hole for each arm and one for the head. Simply trace around a child’s hand for size and use a small, light ball, foam or polystyrene ball for the head. Cut a hole in the ball to accommodate fingers and encase the ball in fabric so you can stitch or draw a face and hair. You can go wild with the fabrics you use for the body and have detachable features so that one puppet can be many characters.

Stick puppets – A stick puppet is easily made using a piece of wood with a head stuck on top. Painted or detachable features can again be used on the simple wooden ball otherwise known as the head. A piece of fabric, with holes for arms, can quickly be transformed into a magnificent cloak. A wooden spoon enveloped in just such a cloak can often double for a stick puppet should you be against the clock.

Animal puppets – Attaching obvious animal features to an old sock is an easy way to make animal puppets so, whiskers and beady eyes makes something rodent like, felt ears and a trunk generally denotes an elephant (let your imagination run wild!). Cut the head off old vinyl toys or remove the stuffing from a beat up stuffed animal and hey presto – recycled animal puppets.

Finger puppets – Stretchy fabric covering a small bead or piece of foam will suffice for these puppets. A cape style tunic is the body with a pipe cleaner running through the sleeves functioning as arms. The fabric of the head should be securely stitched to the cape. The success of a finger puppet is in the details, the tiny features and accessories make each one special.

Use an arch on top of a table or the window of a play house, complete with curtains, as a theatre or stage
upon which your puppet ensemble can strut its stuff. Now let loose your little puppeteers.
As a daycare owner and parent Fiona Lohrenz has extensive knowledge of childminding which she writes about on her child care website. She has also used this knowledge to produce a ‘Start a Daycare Business’ DVD guide: How To Start A Daycare You can find her at her Day Care Blog

2 COMMENTS »
Previous Entries Next Entries