Recommended Age: 4 to 5 years
Level of Parent Involvement: Medium, this exercise requires the adult to work with the child during the initial presentation, once the child has been shown they may complete the exercise independently with low supervision
Prerequisites
- The child must have a good level of concentration
- The child must be able to draw on memory to follow a sequence of steps in order to complete this activity independently in the future
- The child should have had some experience in pouring water from a jug
- The child should have some level of control of movement and be able to carry objects level
- This activity entails a sequence of steps, when the young child begins this exercise they may not necessarily be able to complete the activity in sequence from beginning to end, this takes time or is more expected from an older child. Work which requires the child to participate in a sequence of steps builds the child’s concentration
Materials
* Apron
* Work area with waterproof surface
* Table mat
* Assortment of flowers (different types and colours)
* Basket to collect flowers to be used for arranging
* Tray with several vases of different forms and sizes (Opportunity stores such as The Salvation Army often have great vases which are smaller in size, prefect for this exercise)
* A selection of doilies
* Low bowl
* Jug
* 1 sheet absorbent paper/bowl
* Sharp scissors
* Drying cloth
* Bucket
* Funnel
* Tray
* Extra jug/bucket for flowers to be arranged
Preparation
- Place the flowers which are to be arranged in the jug/bucket
- Set up the tray with the bowl, bucket, jug, scissors, drying cloth and funnel
Steps
- Invite the child letting them know that you will be showing them how to arrange flowers
- Put on an apron and let the child know that they will need to wear their apron, the child may put their apron on
- Show the child the basket used for collecting flowers, the child may choose a few flowers and place them in the basket and bring the basket to the table
- Show the child the flower arranging tray, the child may bring the tray to the table
- Move the chair to the side of the table, put the bucket under the table
- Show the child the vases, the child may select a vase
- Show the child the doilies, the child may choose a doily
- Ask the child to collect some water in the jug, pour the water into the vase (you may need to use the funnel depending on the vase selected)
- Pour some water into the bowl
- Select a flower, holding the flower over the bowl, pull any excess leaves off the stem
- Measure the flower in relation to the vase to determine where to cut the stem
- Place the stem of the flower into the water, cut the stem under the water as per measurement of the vase
- Place the flower in the vase
- Repeat with remaining flowers
- Go with the child to find a suitable place to put the flower arrangement, placing the doily down first
- Invite the child to have a turn, the child may choose another vase and doily and get more flowers as needed
- Leave the child to work independently, coming back once the child has placed their arrangement to show them how to pack up
- Show the child how to pick up any removed leaves and the stem from the bowl and place in the compost/green waste bin
- Show the child how to empty the water from the bowl into the bucket which is under the table, empty the water from the bucket
- Dry the bucket, bowl, jug, scissors and tray if needed
- Replace the items on the tray and return the tray to its place
- The child may take off their apron and put the chair back, they may now return to this activity on another day now that they have been shown
Variations
* Using an oasis
* Dry flower arranging
* Refreshing arrangements (wash vase, throw out dead flowers, trim end of stem, place fresh water in vase)
