PL T5.02Washing Fruit and Vegetables
The child rubs fruit or vegetables clean in a shallow basin of water, lifts them into a colander, and pats them dry for the adult to cut.
Safety
- Check the school's allergy list before offering this or any food work.
- Keep water in the basin to 2–3 cm, stay within arm's reach, and empty the basin as soon as the work ends; toddlers can drown in a few centimeters of standing water.
- The adult cuts grapes and cherry tomatoes into quarters lengthwise before eating; whole round fruits are a choking food for children under 4.
- Raw apple is served in very thin slices or grated, and raw carrot only grated or in thin strips, never as chunks or round coins.
- Wipe spilled water from the floor right away to prevent falls.
Presentation
- 1
Check the allergy list. Invite the child, wash hands together, and put on aprons.
- 2
Set the basin, colander, and towel in a row on the tray, left to right. Pour 2–3 cm of water into the basin.
- 3
Place one piece of food in the water. Rub it slowly all over with your hands, turning it.
- 4
For a potato or cucumber, brush it with the soft brush. The dirt coming off into the water is the point of interest.
- 5
Lift the piece out, hold it over the basin for the drips, and place it in the colander.
- 6
Hand the child the next piece and wait while they wash it. Continue until all are washed.
- 7
Pat each piece dry with the towel. Wipe drips on the tray with the sponge.
- 8
Cut the food into safe shapes in front of the child. The child eats a piece at the table or carries the plate to the snack table.
- 9
Empty the basin into the sink together and hang the towel to dry.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Wash leafy greens and spin or shake them dry
- Wash enough fruit for the snack table
- Wash a cucumber, then cut it with the crinkle cutter
Control of error
Dirt left on the skin or in the potato's hollows is visible; water on the tray shows the piece was not held over the basin to drip.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Rubs or brushes each piece all over before moving it
- Holds each piece over the basin to drip before placing it in the colander
- Helps empty the basin and wipe the tray