First Water Pouring

Safety

Water work is supervised the whole time and uses about 100 ml of water; all water containers are emptied right after use.
Glass pitchers and glasses are used only where state licensing allows glass and only with an adult present; otherwise use sturdy clear plastic.
A sponge or cloth is always on the tray, and the floor is checked for water so no one slips.

Presentation

1
Carry the tray to a table, pitcher on the right. Hold the handle and put two fingers of the other hand under the spout.
2
Lift the pitcher and bring the spout to the rim of the glass.
3
Tip slowly and pour until the pitcher is empty. Turn the pitcher up and hold it still for a moment so the last drop falls in. The last drop is the point of interest.
4
Set the pitcher down. Look at the tray; wipe any drips with the sponge.
5
Pour the water back into the pitcher yourself, hand the child the pitcher, and wait while they pour. Empty the water in the sink or on a plant together.

Extensions, easiest to hardest

Pour into a narrower glass
Pour into two small cups
Pour a drink at snack and drink it
Pour from a pitcher into a second pitcher

Control of error

Water on the tray shows a spill; a glass that overflows shows the child did not watch the water level. At first the glass holds more than the water in the pitcher, so it cannot overflow; overflow becomes the control once the child pours into smaller cups.

Ready to move on when the child…

Pours with the spout at the rim of the glass
Pours all the water with few drips
Wipes up drips without being reminded

Guide note

This work sits alongside Pouring a Drink from a Small Pitcher (Pouring a Drink from a Small Pitcher) in the eating strand. Many toddlers learn to pour at snack first; the tray work gives extra practice with nothing to drink.