Recommended Age: 2 and ½ to 3 and ½ years
Level of Parent Involvement: Medium, to set up and present the activity then low once the child has been shown they may practice independently
Prerequisites
- The child must be able to carry a tray with objects
Materials
- Two small low bowls (identical)
- Type of dry grain e.g. lentils, chick peas, beans
- Small well balanced spoon (teaspoon)
- Tray
Preparation
- Place the two bowls on the tray, put the grains in the bowl on the right (two thirds full), put the spoon between the two bowls
Steps
- Invite the child to the activity, model how to carry the tray and invite the child to carry the tray to the table
- Tell the child “today we are going to practice spooning”
- Sit to the right of the child and model how to pick up the spoon in your left hand using pincer grip
- Transfer the spoon from your left hand to your right, placing your middle finger under the spoon and your thumb on the bottom top part of the spoon
- Using the spoon scoop up the grains from the bowl
- Keeping the spoon with the grains on it level, transfer the grains from the bowl on the right to the empty bowl on the left by turning your wrist slightly to tilt the spoon allowing the child to see the grains fall off the spoon into the bowl
- Repeat until there are only a few grains left in the bowl
- Show the child how to tilt the bowl to gather the remaining grains
- Invite the child to have a turn
- When they are finished remind her where to return the activity to its place
- Encourage the child to repeat this activity
Variations
- The same exercise using smaller grains (cous cous, rice)
- Using different spoons such as a ladle
- Using different bowls, such as one large bowl and one smaller bowl for the purpose of practicing serving skills
Notes:
- Show the child what to do if they spill some of the grains by removing the bowls from the tray and picking up the grains with your fingers using pincer grip
- If there is a spill on the floor, show the child how to use a small dust pan and brush to sweep up the grains
