This Is the Way We Wash...

Activity Overview

Household jobs are a wonderful way to increase a child’s sense of autonomy and responsibility through direct contributions around the house. Practical life activities such as table washing are integral in the Montessori method and in addition to increasing efficacy, also are a practice in sequencing and deep concentration. With table washing and its extension, window washing, a child directly learns independence through care of their environment, and indirectly learns energetic control of the muscular action of the hand.

What You Need

• The Table Washing Song

• A cloth or towel

• A bucket of water

• Cleaning tools such as a brush and a sponge

• Child-safe cleaning spray -or- water and vinegar in a bottle -or- a bar of soap on a dish

• A drying cloth

• An apron (optional)

Steps

1. Prepare a table to be washed and the materials. Invite your child to come and put on an apron and get ready.

2. As you take out each tool you are going to use, name it or have the child name it to see what their vocabulary is for this activity.

3. Show the child the steps for washing the table, using the tools you have decided on (spray or soap and brush).

4. Make medium circular movements with the brush from left to right. Pause once you have gotten to the far right corner so the child can see the soap suds. Repeat these scrubbing movements form left to right, top to bottom until the entire table is lathered (Apply more soap onto the brush when needed).

5. Rinse the brush and replace it onto its tray. Place the sponge into the basin and get it wet. Squeeze out the water by using your two hands. Wipe off the soap suds from top to bottom, left to right.

6. Pick up the drying cloth and, using the same top to bottom, left to right movements as with the brush and the sponge, dry off the table.

Guiding Questions

• How can you move your hands?

• Can you make shapes or letters with your arms?

Extensions

• After a day or two of table washing, have your student wash the windows that are at their level using the same motions - circular, left to right, up and down. Windex and newsprint work well for washing windows.

• Find other surfaces that your child can help clean. Can your child wash the floor?