Clean-Clean-Clean!

Date: July 28, 2022
Time: Sensory time
Facilitators: Jasmine, Sifat and Raveena

PROPS USED

Fruit and vegetables toys, Mopping cloth, spray bottles and trays.

What was the activity? 

The aim behind this activity, apart from being a sensorial task, was to build the concept of cleaning our food before we eat it. So children had to clean the fruits and vegetable toy by first sprinkling water on them and then wiping it with the cloth. 

Why did we plan this activity? 

1. Language Development: The toddler got a chance to learn about new verbs and nouns like the names of fruits and vegetables, colors of those items, numeracy concepts like shape, size, weight, etc.

2. Sensory Experience: Arthlings played with water while washing the fruits and vegetables. They also explored different textures/shape/size of the vegetables presented which may have produced a great sensory experience for them.

3. Socio emotional skills: Helping out with household chores can induce a sense of responsibility, reliability, and a sense of togetherness, leading to socio emotional development. Learning something as basic as washing fruits is a life skill and it also allows the kids to explore everyday environment. 

4. Development of healthy habits: This activity aimed at helping the children learn about daily hygiene and healthy dietary habits. 

The Series of Steps engaged in?

Three trays were set up. In each tray, fruit and vegetable toys were put along with mopping cloths and spray bottles. The kids were shown different fruits and veggies and they were prompted to guess their names and colors. Then the facilitators showed them how to press the easy squeeze trigger to spray water from the nozzle. Subsequently, they were directed to dry the fruits by rubbing them with a mop cloth.   

How did it go? (Finally!)

The very first response of the kids was to jump and catch hold of the spray bottles since it was a new material for them (never introduced in the class before). They were made to sit down and wait till the facilitator explained to them the process of cleaning. It was observed that these kids still have a lower impulse control as it was hard for them to sit and wait for their turns with the spray bottle. For instance, Kaira, Taksh, Krishay and Yuvaan would switch places and shift to other facilitators’ spots as and when their turns took time. Ratujit was seen shouting whenever he didn’t get the spray bottle. The facilitator persuaded him to politely ask for the equipment and he would accord it with a smile. Most of the children were seen following the steps shown by the facilitator. We saw Yuvaan was exploring the spray bottle and the water by spraying it on his palms. Many kids indulged in pretend play and acted to eat the fruits post wiping them.