PL 1.01Carrying a Chair

1. 1

   Invite the child: 'I have something to show you.' Walk together to a chair at a table.

2. 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. 3

   Lift the chair slightly so all four legs clear the floor, holding it close to your body with the legs pointing down.

4. 4

   Walk slowly to the new place, looking ahead so you can see other people and furniture.

5. 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. 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. 7

   Stand up, push the chair in with both hands on the backrest until the seat is under the table.

8. 8

   Invite the child to carry the chair back to where it was: 'Now you can try.'

What catches the child’s eye

• All four legs touching the floor at once, with no sound
• The seat sliding under the table edge as the chair is pushed in

Extensions, easiest to hardest

1. Carry the chair to a different table and back
2. Carry a chair around people seated on the floor at group time
3. Sit down, stand up, and push the chair in without a sound at every meal and work time