Carrying, Unrolling, and Rolling a Mat

Presentation

1
Invite the child: 'I will show you how to use a work mat.' Walk to the mat basket.
2
Take one rolled mat. Hold it upright against your body with both arms, the way you would hold a small tree trunk.
3
Walk slowly to an open floor space away from walkways. Kneel and lay the roll down with the loose edge facing up and away from you.
4
Place both hands flat on the roll and push it gently away from you so it unrolls. Smooth the corners with your palms.
5
Point out the edges: the mat marks your work space; others walk around it.
6
To roll up, kneel at one short end, fold the edge over, and roll it with both hands, keeping the sides lined up. Point out that the ends stay even (point of interest).
7
Stand, hold the rolled mat upright, carry it back, and stand it in the basket.
8
Invite the child to unroll and roll the mat.

Walk around a mat another child is using, then practice with several mats laid out
Unroll the mat and bring a work to it
Roll a longer mat (for the Long Chains or Hundred Board) with a partner

An unevenly rolled mat has a cone-shaped end and does not stand up in the basket.