PL 1.07Tonging
The child uses tongs to move objects one at a time from one container to another.
Age 3–4Work 7 of 12 in Preliminary Exercises
Presentation
- 1
Invite the child and carry the tray to the table, objects in the left bowl.
- 2
Hold the tongs with your thumb on one side and fingers on the other. Squeeze slowly to show how the ends close, then release.
- 3
Open the tongs over one object, lower them, and squeeze to grip it.
- 4
Lift it and move it over the right bowl. Release it gently so it drops in. The squeeze-and-release is the difficulty isolated here.
- 5
Continue one object at a time until the left bowl is empty.
- 6
Switch the bowls and transfer back, or invite the child to begin.
- 7
Return the tray to the shelf.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Use smaller or smoother objects (marbles, acorns)
- Transfer into an ice-cube tray, one object in each section
- Sort two kinds of objects into two containers using the tongs
Control of error
An object drops before reaching the bowl if the grip loosens; it rolls off the tray if released from too high.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Transfers all objects without dropping them
- Uses the tongs with a steady, controlled squeeze
- Places objects into small sections of an ice-cube tray