Transferring water with a sponge

Recommended Age: 2 and ½ to 3 and ½ years

Purpose: For the child to build strengthen the muscles in their hands through squeezing the sponge (indirectly preparing the child for writing)

Level of Parent Involvement: Low, the adult must model the exercise for the child then the child may work independently.

Prerequisites

Materials

Preparation

Place the two small bowls on the tray, place the jug in between the bowls and the sponge in one of the bowls

Steps

Show the child the tray with the materials, model how to carry the tray then invite then child to bring the tray to the table
When the child places the tray on the table, name the materials (bowl, jug, sponge)
Invite the child to get water in the jug (two thirds full, you may like to use warm water as the child will be getting their hands wet)
The child may pour the water from the jug into the bowl on the right
Take the sponge and feel, letting the child know that the sponge is dry

Invite the child to feel the dry sponge
Let the child know that you are going to put the sponge into the bowl to absorb the water
Place the sponge into the bowl, noticing with the child the sponge expanding as it soaks up the water
Pick up the sponge and move it above the bowl on the left
Squeeze all of the water out of the sponge into the bowl

Place the sponge back into the bowl on the right and repeat as above
Continue using the sponge to transfer all of the water from the bowl on the right into the bowl on the left
Once the bowl on the right is empty, let the child know you are now going to transfer the water back
Repeat as above using the sponge to transfer the water from the bowl to the left into the bowl on the right
When all of the water is back in the bowl on the right, invite the child to have a turn, leaving them to work independently

Let the child know where the face washer/cloth is to dry the tray/table or any spills, also let them know where they can empty the water from their bowl when finished

Variations

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