Opening and Closing Containers

Opening and closing containers is a joyful activity for young children. For the youngest primary child, the opening and closing of containers is a fine motor challenge. It is a joy to observe a child complete the task of open a set of small jars and bottles. For older children, this work might not be a physical challenge, but it tends to have a calming effect and certainly still provides the satifaction of completing a task.

Practical Life: Analysis of Movement: Open and Close Containers

Clothes Pins

Clothes pins are a fun way to build hand and finger strength which will aid in gripping a pencil or crayon later on. These clothes pins with ladybugs and flowers are available in the Kids Section at IKEA Stores.

Practical Life: Analysis of Movement: Clothespins

Grasping

Link to Photos for Grasping:

Practical Life: Analysis of Movement: Grasping

Transfering Water with a Sponge

Wet Pouring

Materials: two pitchers, water, sponge, tray

Fig. 1: Initial Set-up








Fig. 2: Use pincer grip on left hand, support pitcher with index finger of right hand. Transfer all water to right hand pitcher.







Fig. 3: Move pitchers above tray. Wipe tray from left to right, top to bottom. Replace pitchers.

Dry Pouring

Materials: Two or more identical containers; small material such as rice, beans, seeds; tray

Fig. 1: Initial set-up. Pouring material on left-hand side of tray encourages Left-to-right movement











Fig. 2: Emphasize pincer grip on left hand. Use right index finger to support weight of pitcher












Fig. 3: Observe that the first pitcher is empty.













Fig. 4: Repeat procedure to pour beans back to first pitcher












Fig. 5: Pick up any spilled beans using pincer grip of dominant hand.