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News & Blog

September 19, 2002  |  By Northwest Montessori In Practical Life

Matching locks and keys

lockmatching

Recommended Age: 3 years and onwards 

 

Purpose: for the child to build their fine motor control and coordination 

Level of Parent Involvement: Low, once modelled the child may work independently 

 

Prerequisites 

  • None 

 

Materials 

  • A packet of various sized locks with their matching keys (The Reject Shop, Kmart and other $2-dollar shops have got packets of locks and keys, usually containing 3 different sized locks) 
  • A tray or basket to keep the activity 

 

Preparation 

  • Remove the locks from the packaging and place on the tray/basket 
  • They keys will come on a key ring, remove each individual key from the ring so they are separate 
  • Place the keys mixed on the tray/basket 

Steps 

  •  Invite the child letting them know you have a new activity to show them 
  • Show the child the tray/basket with the locks and keys, naming them, the child may bring them to the table 
  • Invite the child to sit down, sit to the side of the child respective to your dominant hand as to not obstruct the child view of your hand movements 
  • Take the first lock from the tray/basket 
  • Pick up a key, show the child how to line up the key with the bottom of the lock where the key hole is 
  • Try the key to see if it opens the lock, if it is the right key, place the opened lock back onto the tray/basket, or try the other two keys until you find the key which opens the lock 
  • Once all locks have been opened, show the child how to close the locks 
  • Invite the child to have a turn 

Variations 

  • Once the child can successfully open all 3 locks you may introduce more locks on the tray (up to 6) 
  • The child may practice opening and closing different fastenings such as locks with a chain etc (see image below) 

Practical Life

Article by Northwest Montessori

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Next StoryThe Pink Tower 

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