We never say no to a child who wants to help with the day to day housekeeping tasks at preschool.
So when the kids want to sweep, we hand them a broom.
Children this age are not abstract thinkers. When we sweep, we gather the dirt into a target area, but the target is abstract.
Make it real for your child by drawing a chalk circle on the floor:
This gives the children a target to aim for - and its fun as well.
I absolutely love this post - so many ideas it sparks and I have learned something new!! Thank you for sharing your expertise with us!
ReplyDeleteWhy are all the girls working and the boy sitting and watching? Sounds unfair. :)
ReplyDeleteWe use a Montessori square but love the circle more!
we have child sized mops in a bucket next to our painting easels for the children to mop up drops of paint. Helps to keep the kindergarten safe and tidy as well as encouraging independence.
ReplyDeleteMy kids love to sweep, I mean, redistribute dirt!! We'll try the circle at home.
ReplyDeleteAfter all these years of having sweeping 'helper's and all I needed to do was draw a circle on the concrete ... of course ... why oh why are the simplest answers ALWAYS the best!
ReplyDeleteDonna :) :)
what an amazingly simple yet effective idea! I will have to give this a try!!
ReplyDeleteThanks
Pipxx
I know - so simple yet so effective. I only discovered the trick last week but it makes so much sense.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for the girls sweeping, and the boy watching: we usually do have a more even distribution of the sexes! It was right at the end of the day and said boy had just realised he hadn't eaten his lunch - I think the girls provided him with a floor show!
Simple brilliance! I love it; can't wait til the kids come back Tuesday so I can try it! :-) Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYes! thanks for the simple circle idea - it's great to be able to add another level, extending an already effective activity. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!! I have always thought there must be be a simpler way....now I know!! Draw a circle. *facepalm*
ReplyDeleteYou have such great ideas Jenny! Such a great trick to get kids focused and having fun.
ReplyDeleteOh, this is a very useful post, Jenny. I always have several sweepers and have never known how to put that energy to real use.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea! Because we do a lot of "moving around the dirt". thank you!
ReplyDeleteI know this post is very old, but where did you get those kid-size brooms?
ReplyDelete