October 28, 2006 10:44 PM
Teaching kids the art of sweeping
As I wrote the other day, I'm really working on teaching the three youngest boys with Down syndrome the life skills they need - they're just learning a little later than kids without their delays.
Though Daniel is 10, I used the same approach to teach him to sweep that I recommend for a preschooler - and took some pictures to share with you.
Remember that the preschool years are the years when most children want to learn to do household chores. Rather than postponing until you think they are ready, we can take it as a sign they are ready when they express an interest. Our task is then to think through the particular task, break it down into a sequence they can follow, and accept the results being less than the "perfect" job we would do.
Thinking through sweeping:
The main problem is that children this age are not abstract thinkers. When we sweep, we gather the dirt into a target area, but the target is abstract. Make it real for your child by drawing a chalk circle on the floor:
Notice I'm using a smaller size broom for Daniel. This is a handmade broom I bought at the Waterford Fair a couple years ago - you can see mine lying on the floor in the background of the picture.
The other part of sweeping that presents more difficulty to the child is getting the sweepings into a dustpan. You can make this a little easier by providing a small whisk broom and dustpan:
This is just a transition. As your child develops more confidence and skill in wielding the broom, you can teach him how to use the broom and dustpan together. But this is what teaching young children is all about - seeing the world through their eyes, understanding their needs, and doing whatever it takes to make things possible for them.
For anyone new to this blog, you can find lots more of this type of specific information by clicking on Categories above, then clicking Montessori, preschoolers, or toddlers. Yes, it does take extra time to teach your children at this young age - but if you teach them during this window of opportunity when they are anxious to help - rather than waiting until later - you will be blessed with children who actually enjoy their role as helpers in the family.
Posted in Down syndrome, Montessori, Preschoolers, Toddlers | Permalink
Comments
Great job I will use this idea!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: MCOX | February 10, 2008 9:26 PM
