Material Description:
An apron, oil cloth, bucket, basin and matching jug, drying cloth, basket, scissors, spare paper, sponge, two vases of different materials and two coasters to stand them on and a tray (if the materials are not arranged on a table). The flowers can be brought from the garden or another vase elsewhere in the room
Presentation:
- Invite the child and if she agrees put your apron and ask her to unroll the oil cloth onto the table. Bring the tray and put it to the right of the table on a chair or chowki. Put the items from the tray onto the oil cloth, in order and naming them. The basin is to be kept at the left base corner of the table and the bucket underneath it. From left to right along the top edge of the table lay out the drying cloth, basket, scissors, paper, sponge and jug, put the vases on their coasters along the right edge of the table.
- Take the basket and ask the child to choose a few flowers, (the number depends on the type of vase)
- Ask the child to fill the jug three-quarters full and pour some water into the basin, filling it one-quarter full and to pour some water into the vases.
- Holding a flower above the basin remove the dead leaves and petals, one at a time
- Measure the stem against the vase to judge it’s required length
- Holding the end of the stem under water and the stem against the side of the basin with the left hand take the scissors with the right and snip off the end of the stem at an angle
- Repeat the measuring and snipping to demonstrate the ned to check measurements to the child
- Quickly place the flower into the vase
- If using a wide necked vase show different coloured flowers at different heights, while use only one for a vase with a narrow opening
- Collect the petals and leaves onto the paper and shake off excess water into the basin
- Fold the paper and put it and it’s contents into a pedal bin
- Replace the paper
- Let the child arrange her own flowers
- To clean up skim the fingers around the water line of the basin, pour the water into the bucket, holding it with two hands, and rinse the basin with water from the jug, pour any excess water from the jug into the bucket
- Pour the water in the bucket down the sink and rinse it
- Open the scissors, place them on an oil cloth and dab them clean with the sponge, repeat after turning
- Dry all the materials inside and out, placing the cloth on the mat while inverting them, ensure each object is dried set on the surface
- Put each object back in it’s place
- Hang the drying cloth to air-dry
- Let the child choose where to display the vases, taking the coaster first and then the vase.
Points of Interest:
- Remove the dead leaves
- Measure and cut the stem to fit the height of the vase
- Choose additional numbers of flowers for larger vases
- Comment on the smell of the flowers
Purpose:
- Co-ordination of Movement
- Independence
- Concentration
- Social Adaptation
Age at Presentation:
Three to three and a half years
Footnote:
- As a preliminary activity the child will be accustomed to choosing a vase, from a basket with many types, and a flower to decorate her table.
- It is possible to extend this activity by cleaning the leaves with a solution which will promote respiration, keep a tray with linseed oil and a few cotton buds with the materials for this activity, paring tools should also be introduced when this activity has been mastered.
- To maintain the flower arrangement recutting the stem under water will keep the flowers fresh, cut flower food can be added when the water level is topped up, the flowers should be kept with a label displaying their name