Presentation

  1. 1

    Invite the child and carry the tray to a table, full pitcher on the right, handles facing right.

  2. 2

    Hold the handle of the full pitcher with your dominant hand; place two fingers of the other hand under the spout to steady it.

  3. 3

    Lift the full pitcher and bring the spout to the center of the empty pitcher's opening, just above the rim.

  4. 4

    Tip it slowly and pour. Show the pause as the last beans go in; watching the stream is the point of interest.

  5. 5

    Set the pitcher down without a sound.

  6. 6

    Pick up any spilled beans with your fingers.

  7. 7

    Turn the tray so the full pitcher is on the right again, and pour back.

  8. 8

    Invite the child to pour, then return the tray to the shelf.

Extensions, easiest to hardest

  1. Pour rice or lentils, which slide faster and spill more easily
  2. Pour into two or three smaller containers
  3. Pour through a wide funnel into a bottle

Control of error

Beans or grains on the tray show how much was spilled and where.

Ready to move on when the child…

  • Pours all material with no spills
  • Aims the spout at the center of the receiving pitcher
  • Cleans up any spill without being reminded

Try “pink tower”, “tummy”, “diaper”, “grace and courtesy”, or “October”.