Safety

  • Glass pitchers and glasses only with supervision and where licensing allows.
  • Wipe water off the floor at once to prevent slipping.

Presentation

  1. 1

    Place the glass and the pitcher, filled with a small amount of water, on the tray in front of the child.

  2. 2

    Say: 'I am going to pour water into the glass.' Hold the handle with one hand and put two fingers of the other hand under the spout end.

  3. 3

    Lift the pitcher and bring the spout to the rim of the glass, touching it.

  4. 4

    Tip the pitcher slowly. Watch the water go into the glass. Watching the water level rise is the point of interest.

  5. 5

    Tip the pitcher back up and set it down on the tray.

  6. 6

    Wipe any drops with the cloth.

  7. 7

    Put the empty pitcher back on the tray and invite the child to pour next time. Wait while they try; help only if they ask.

Extensions, easiest to hardest

  1. Refill the pitcher at a low water station
  2. Pour a drink at the table during meals
  3. Pour from a slightly larger pitcher and stop at a line on the glass
  4. Pour water for another child

Control of error

Water that misses the glass lands on the tray; the pitcher holds only as much as the glass, so it cannot overflow.

Ready to move on when the child…

  • Pours water into the glass with the spout touching the rim
  • Spills little or no water on the tray
  • Wipes up drops without being asked
  • Pours their own drink at meals

Try “pink tower”, “tummy”, “diaper”, “grace and courtesy”, or “October”.