Life A2.3. Clothespin Clamping

Shu-Chen Yen's On-Line Montessori Albums

PRATICAL-LIFE DEVELOPMENT ALBUM

ELEMENTARY MOVEMENT

A2.3. CLOTHESPIN CLAMPING

MATERIALS:

Bowl, clothespins

PREPARATION:

Child has practiced sorting and peg board. Materials are ready. Invite child, Name activity. Show child where material is located.

PRESENTATION:

1. Use two hands to carry bowl to table. Place on table and sit down.

2. Remove clothespins from bowl one at a time and line up in rows on right side of bow. Have ends facing you. (If using matching colored clothespins, make two rows).

3. Pick up clothespin on left, bottom row. Pinch ends of clothespin together using thumb, index and middle fingers of dominant hand. (Show how ends meet when squeezed and top opens.)

4. Move clothespin over to bowl and clamp on lip of bowl.

5. Continue to squeeze and place remaining clothespins on rim of bowl.

6. Observe finished work.

7. Remove clothespins one at a time by pinching ends together to release top of pin from rim of bowl. Place clothespins into bowl.

8. Stand up, push chair in and return bowl to shelf.

CONTROL OF ERROR:

1. Clothespins left over.

2. Clothespins not fitting on rim of bowl.

3. Materials not restored to original state.

4. Pinching wrong end of clothespin.

POINTS OF INTEREST:

1. Pinching clothespins.

2. Opening top end and pinching other end closed.

3. Seeing clothespins standing upright on rim of bowl.

4. Matching colors of clothespins.

5. Lining up clothespins.

DIRECT AIMS:

Coordination, concentration, order, independence, fine muscle control, eye-hand coordination.

INDIRECT AIMS:

Learning to pinch clothes pins, strengthening three finger grip, preparation for using knobs in other area, preparation for hand writing, preparation for clothes washing.

VOCABULARY:

Clothespin, bowl, pinch, open, close

AGE:

2.5 years and up

VARIATIONS/EXTENSIONS:

1. Use clothespins in other area, for counting, to keep snow boots together, to keep mittens together.

2. Use different kinds of clothespins, wooden, plastic, tiny ones, metal ones.

3. Use metal clips to fasten paper to easel or boards in art.

4. Use potato chip clips.