Transferring using a mini spoon
The child feeds the hens with seeds using a mini wooden spoon.
Aim
The child learns how to transfer dry materials using a mini spoon. To offer him an extension of the topic of farm animals and an imaginative way to care for them.
Objectives
- Develop eye-hand co-ordination
- Develop fine motor control and strengthen fingers used to hold a pencil
- Develop left to right eye movements
- Develop concentration
- Develop left to right eye movements
Age
2¾+
Materials
- Two identical hen shaped egg cups
- Bowl
- Seeds
- Mini spoon
- Tray
Control of error
Visual and audible — spillage
Language
Appropriate terms — e.g. egg cups, seeds (or name of grain), transfer. The vocabulary is given after the presentation, if the child inquires.
Presentation
The bowl containing the seeds should be on the left, the egg cups should be on the left, and the spoon on the child’s dominant side. Ask the child to watch carefully and continues in silence. Pick up the spoon, using a pencil grip, and with the other hand steady the seeds bowl. Transfer the seeds from the bowl to the right into the egg cups, starting with the one next to the bowl, until all the seeds have been transferred, equally, into both egg cups, tilting the bowl away from you as necessary towards the end of the exercise. Reverse the egg cups so that the material is ready for the child.
Further challenges
Offer the child tweezers and corns. Transfer using rookie sticks, or chopsticks.
Ideas
Provide the child with a mini dustpan & brush or a table crumb sweeper to remove any spillage from the tray or table. If a lot of seeds have been spilt, it may be poured into the bowl from the corner of the tray.
Offer the child natural materials when you set up your activity tray. Natural items help children express their thoughts and ideas as they manipulate and explore them.
Children may have already investigated wood, glass and other dry substances while working with the Montessori Thermic Tablets.
