Recommended Age:
Level of Parent Involvement: Medium for the first presentation, then low-none after the child has been shown, they can dust independently
Prerequisites
- None
Materials
- Dust cloths
- Tray/basket
- Shaped dusting brushes (for variation)
Preparation
- Fold the dusting cloths (In half then half again)
- Place the dusting cloths in the tray/basket
Steps
- Invite the child, letting them know that today you are going to show them how to dust
- Show the child the dusting tray, the child may bring the tray to the table
- Go with the child to their table, pick up and move their chair to the left side, next to the table
- The child may place the dusting tray on the chair (in the centre of the seat of the chair)
- Remove a dusting cloth from the tray and place on the table
- Using your right hand, thumb and index finger, unfold the cloth
- Once the cloth is unfolded position the cloth on the table so that it resembles a diamond shape (with one of the corners pointing upwards)
- Place your right hand, palm facing upwards on the bottom point of the cloth
- With your left hand, pick up the left point of the cloth and fold it over your right hand
- Using your left hand again pick up the right point of the cloth and fold it over your right hand
- Pick up the top point of the cloth with your left hand and fold down onto your right hand
- Position your right thumb to keep the cloth secure on your hand
- Turn your right hand which holds the dusting cloth over so that your palm is now facing down
- Move your right hand over to the top left corner of the table and place it down
- Slide your hand across the table from left to right until you reach the end of the table
- Once your hand is at the right corner of the table turn your hand in a hook movement so that the dust is not being wiped onto the floor
- Show the child the dust on the cloth
- Repeat a few times
- Still holding the cloth, lead the child outside
- Take the cloth from your right hand with your left, holding the cloth by the corner
- Show the child how to shake the cloth to remove the dust (turning your head so the dust doesn’t go in your face)
- Return to the table with the child
- Place the cloth on the table and invite the child to have a turn (assisting the child to fold the cloth onto their hand if necessary), leave the child to work independently
Variations
- Dusting boxes, using the dusting brushes to dust inside the corners and around the edges of the lid
- Dusting a shelf (same movements as for a table), removing items from shelf first
Notes
- If the cloth is very dirty show the child where to put the cloth into the dirty washing basket, replacing the dusting cloth on the tray with a clean one ready for the next time they want to do the activity
- Ensure you dust a table that has visible dust/dirt on it so the child can physically see the purpose of the activity
