PL 1.01Carrying a Chair
The child learns to lift, carry, and place a chair quietly so they can choose where to work.
Presentation
- 1
Invite the child: 'I have something to show you.' Walk together to a chair at a table.
- 2
Stand beside the chair. Place one hand on the top of the backrest and the other on the front edge of the seat.
- 3
Lift the chair slightly so all four legs clear the floor, holding it close to your body with the legs pointing down.
- 4
Walk slowly to the new place, looking ahead so you can see other people and furniture.
- 5
Lower the chair so all four legs touch the floor at the same time, without a sound. This is the point of interest: the child listens for the silent landing.
- 6
Show how to sit: stand at the side of the chair, pull it out with one hand on the backrest, sit, and move the chair in by holding the seat edges.
- 7
Stand up, push the chair in with both hands on the backrest until the seat is under the table.
- 8
Invite the child to carry the chair back to where it was: 'Now you can try.'
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Carry the chair to a different table and back
- Carry a chair around people seated on the floor at group time
- Carry a small table with a partner, one at each end
Control of error
Noise: if the legs scrape or bang, the child hears it. Bumping another person or table shows the path was not planned.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Carries a chair without dragging or bumping furniture
- Places the chair with all four legs down at once, without a sound
- Pushes the chair in when leaving a table without being reminded
Guide note
Present in the first days of the year. Chairs must be light enough for the youngest child to lift; heavy chairs lead to dragging.