Recommended Age: 3 and ½ to 4 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 reasonable level of control and coordination of movement
- The child must have the ability to remain focused on a task whilst the exercise is presented
- 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
* Newspaper
* Hard bristle brush
* Neutral polish
* Applicator brush
* Shining brush
* Buffer
* Shoe horn (optional)
* Basket or tray
* A work mat
Preparation
- Place the above materials in the basket/on the tray
Steps
- Invite the child letting them know that today you will be showing them shoe polishing
- Put on an apron, the child may put in their apron
- Let the child know they will need their work mat
- Once the child has placed their mat, show them the shoe polishing tray/basket, the child may bring the basket to their mat, indicate to the child to place the basket on the top right side of the mat
- Sit to the right of the child, taking a piece of newspaper and place in front of you on the mat
- Go with the child to find a pair of shoes which need polishing (for example, leather work shoes)
- Place the shoe in the middle of the newspaper, the shoe must be horizontal with the toes of the shoe pointing to the left side of the mat
- Take each of the materials out of the basket and place them along the top of the newspaper, naming each item in the following order; dusting brush, polish, applicator brush, shining brush, buffer
- Take the dusting brush with your right hand and place your left hand, palm facing down inside the shoe
- Using the dusting brush remove any dirt/sand from the bottom and sides of the shoe by flicking the bristles of the brush downwards all the way along the shoe
- Tap the dusting brush on the newspaper to remove any excess dirt from the brush
- Flip the dusting brush over (bristles up) and place back on the mat
- Open the polish and gently press the bristles of the applicator brush into the polish
- Show the child the polish on the applicator brush, place your left hand back into the shoe
- Using small circular motions apply the polish to the shoe, starting at the front, then each side, then the back
- Wipe any excess polish from the applicator brush onto the newspaper, place the applicator brush on the mat (flip over, bristles up)
- Take the shining brush and make fast movements back and forth on the shoe – front, sides then back
- Wipe the shining brush on the newspaper, place the brush back on the mat
- Take the buffer and make fast side to side movements on the shoe starting at the front, then sides and back
- Place the buffer on the mat, move the polished shoe out of the way
- Invite the child to polish the other shoe
- Leave the child to work independently, coming back when they have finished to show them how to pack up
- Take the shoes off the mat. Ensure polish container lid is on properly and use the sponge to wipe any excess polish from around the sides of the container
- Place the materials back in the basket/tray
- Show the child how to fold the newspaper with the dirt inside and where to put the newspaper
- The child may return the basket/tray to its place and complete the activity again when they notice a shoe which needs polishing
- The child may put their mat away and wash their hands
Variations
* Using different coloured shoe polishes (black, brown)
* Shoes that have laces that need to be washed
* Other types of shoe care, for example, washing/cleaning sneakers
