PL 1.10Sifting
The child spoons sand or flour into a sieve over a bowl and taps it so the fine part falls through and larger pieces stay behind.
Presentation
Search videos (opens YouTube in a new tab)- 1
Invite the child and carry the tray to a table, full bowl on the left.
- 2
Hold the sieve by the handle over the empty bowl, resting its rim on the bowl edge.
- 3
Spoon two spoonfuls of the mix into the sieve.
- 4
Tap the sieve handle gently with your other hand. Watch the fine sand fall through.
- 5
When no more falls, tip the pebbles left in the sieve into the small dish.
- 6
Continue until the first bowl is empty.
- 7
Brush any spilled sand into the dustpan. Mix the sand and pebbles back together for the next person.
- 8
Invite the child to sift.
What catches the child’s eye
- Fine sand falling through the mesh like rain
- Pebbles left alone in the sieve
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Sift flour for baking
- Sift garden soil to remove stones before planting
- Use a finer sieve, then a flour sifter with a squeeze handle
Control of error
Sand outside the bowl shows the sieve was tapped too hard or lifted off the rim; sand left in the sieve shows sifting stopped too soon.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Sifts the whole bowl with little spilled
- Taps gently and steadily instead of shaking hard
- Cleans up spilled sand without being reminded
Guide note
Use clean play sand. Flour dust can bother children with asthma; sift slowly and low over the bowl. Check for wheat allergy before using flour.