PL T3.06Carrying Laundry and Folding a Cloth
The child carries used cloths to the laundry basket and folds clean washcloths or napkins in half to put them away.
Safety
- Children are kept away from washing machines, dryers, and laundry detergent; detergent pods and liquid detergent are stored locked and out of reach.
Presentation
- 1
After a meal or cleanup, hand the child a used cloth and say, 'This goes in the laundry.' Walk to the basket together and drop it in.
- 2
On another day, sit at a table with the basket of clean cloths. Lay one cloth flat and smooth it with both hands.
- 3
Pick up the two bottom corners and lift them slowly to the two top corners. Pause and touch the matched corners. The corners meeting is the point of interest.
- 4
Smooth the fold with your palm. Place the folded cloth in its basket.
- 5
Hand the child a cloth and wait while they fold. Put their folded cloth in the basket as it is, without refolding it.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Fold a cloth with a stitched line across the middle
- Fold in half twice
- Match pairs of socks from the laundry
- Help move clean laundry from the dryer or line to the basket
Control of error
Corners that do not meet are visible; a cloth left in the wrong basket is seen when the next person looks for a clean one.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Carries used cloths to the laundry basket without a reminder
- Folds a cloth in half with the corners close together
- Puts folded cloths in their place
Guide note
Two separate moments, one purpose each: carrying used cloths belongs after meals and cleanup, folding happens at a table. Do not refold the child's work in front of them.