Squeezing a Sponge

Safety

Water work is supervised the whole time; the bowl holds about 2 cm of water and is emptied right after use.
Sponges are checked before each use and thrown away when torn or crumbling, because toddlers may bite off pieces.
Sponges are rinsed and dried after each use and not shared between the water work and cleaning or food use.

1
Carry the tray to a table, water on the left. Put the sponge in the water and wait while it soaks.
2
Lift the sponge and hold it over the same bowl for a moment so the drips fall back in.
3
Move it over the empty bowl and squeeze with your whole hand. Watching the water come out is the point of interest.
4
Hand the child the sponge and wait while they soak and squeeze.
5
Wipe drips on the tray with the sponge, then dry the tray with the cloth. Empty the water in the sink together.

Move all the water from one bowl to the other
Wipe up a small water spill on the table with the sponge
Squeeze a sponge at the water table or outdoors in a larger basin with the adult beside the child

Drips on the tray show the sponge was carried before it stopped dripping or squeezed outside the bowl.