Practical Life Skills – Dry Pouring

Many of the works that I put out for L are sparked by my observations of what she’s interested in and showing a developmental need for.  We’ve spent a lot of time in the kiddie pool this summer, and I’ve noticed L pouring water from one container into another.  My nerves are not quite ready to make that an indoor work, so I simply encouraged it when we were outside in the pool or playing with the water bin.  Inside, I put together a dry pouring work that is less messy.

I put a bunch of small bouncy balls into a cup with an empty cup beside it.  That’s it.  L will easily spend 10 to 15 minutes with this work, pouring the balls from one cup to another.  Sometimes she misses a cup and the balls spill out.  That’s why this work is on a tray with high sides — the balls stay on the tray and she is easily able to find them all and put them back.  As L continues to get better with this work, I’ll soon have to put aside my qualms and construct a water pouring work for her.  For now, I’ll stick with the bouncy balls.