It’s that time of year when parent’s creative ideas are stretched and they resort to throwing flour around and trashing their own homes. In the spirit of offering support I have put together an idea that will cover two days Elf on the Shelf days and build a little book love along the way.
elf1 is a letter from the elf and a sheet of elf-paper for your child to reply on, chewed pencil could be an optional extra. I suggest the written response from your child is made as simple or challenging as you and your child can cope with, ie a full reply or one word answer. The aim is to build a connection, not torture anyone along the way!
The next step does not have to happen the next day and is to buy a book that fulfils the criteria that your child responds with. If they like books about dinosaurs you have plenty of choice, maybe less so if they like something obscure. Make a mini version of the book – copy the cover and fold – and put it with the cut out top section of elf2. The idea is the elf has given a book, but the joke it is elf-sized.
Finally at Christmas – or before if you want a day 3 – give the full proper book with the tag on Elf 2.pdf
The whole concept comes from finding out about what your child would choose, a joke mini book and hopefully excitement at finally being able to read the whole real book. It also demonstrates how we all had to communicate pre-IT when letters were the way to build relationships.
The documents are linked above – good luck, you’ve got this.