Social interaction skills
Toddlers help wash items in the room.
[Ask several toddlers to join you at a low table.]
I am looking for some helpers to wash our table and chairs. I have a sponge for each helper. We will wet the sponges and then use them to clean!
Who would like to help clean our table and chairs? It is great to have helpers!
[Give each interested toddler a damp sponge.]
Would you like to begin washing the table or a chair?
[Help each child find an area of the table or a nearby chair to wash.]
You can push your sponge down and move it back and forth like this.
[Demonstrate how to move the sponge from side to side.
Point to areas of the table or chairs a toddler may wash. Example: This part of the chair is called the leg. Let’s wash the legs together.]
Would you like to wet your sponge in the water? I will bring the water tub to the table. You can place your sponge into the water and squeeze it with your hand.
[Demonstrate the squeeze motion.]
Sometimes it is not easy to wait for a turn. I will sing a song to help us wait.
[Sing a song for the toddlers. (Tune: “London Bridges Falling Down”)]
Becca’s sponge is in the water,
In the water, in the water.
She gives the little sponge a squeeze.
Now it’s Daniel’s turn.
[Continue to encourage toddlers to wash the table and chairs, acknowledging each of their efforts. Example: “Becca is scrubbing the chair seat. She is using her sponge to make the chair clean!” As the activity wraps up, thank toddlers for being good helpers. Ask them to put the sponges into the tub. Dry any wet spots on the floor.]
You washed the table and the chairs. They are really clean now! We all take care of things in our room.
Learning to help is an important prosocial behavior. Providing opportunities for toddlers to help others supports the development of this social skill. This activity is a simple and enjoyable way for toddlers to help and be a part of your room’s community. Some toddlers may not wish to join the activity initially, but after seeing the fun may change their mind! Be prepared with extra sponges for toddlers who join after you start.
Some toddlers may be interested in cleaning a small section, whereas others may want to clean everything! Emphasize the effort each toddler makes to help, rather than the amount of participation. Allow toddlers to come and go from this activity. Example: “Maya washed the tabletop with her sponge. Now she is going to find another activity. Thank you, Maya, for being a good helper!”
Extra support
Enrichment
Social interaction skills
A toddler helps care for nontoxic indoor plants.
Be Prepared: Place several nontoxic indoor plants in the room, if not already available.
Invite a toddler to help you with an important job. Explain that the plants in the room need special care to stay healthy and to grow. Talk with the toddler about how plants need sunlight and water to grow. Invite the toddler to visit each of the plants with you. Example: “Let’s use our eyes to see if this plant has sunlight. Yes, there is sun coming in the window! Please watch me feel the dirt and see if the plant needs water.” Describe your actions.
Invite the toddler to help water a plant. Demonstrate how to fill one watering can with water. Encourage the toddler to fill the second watering can, providing support if needed. (Using smaller amounts of water will make the watering can easier for the toddler to carry, as well as discourage overwatering.) Visit the first plant and demonstrate how to slowly pour a small amount into the pot. Visit the other plants and encourage the toddler to water the plants on his/her own, providing support only if needed. Affirm the toddler’s efforts to help the plants stay healthy and grow. Example: “Today you had a special job. You gave our plants water and helped them to grow! You are a good helper.”
This activity provides the opportunity for a toddler to help care for parts of a room in a meaningful way. Repeat the activity on separate days with interested toddlers so each can take part in the important job of caring for the plants. Some toddlers will need more guidance than others. Provide needed support, while encouraging the toddler to do as much as he/she can on his/her own. (See Extra support tip below.) Spills can easily be cleaned up, and overwatering can be avoided if small amounts of water are in the watering cans. Emphasize and acknowledge the toddler’s efforts to help the plants rather than success in completing the job correctly.
Extra support
Enrichment
Materials Needed: sensory table with water, baby shampoo, sponges—1 per toddler, toy dishes, pots and pans, eating utensils, towel or paper towels
Place the toy kitchen items in the water, along with a small amount of baby shampoo. Invite toddlers to use the sponges to wash the items. Talk with the toddlers about how an adult(s) washes dishes at their house. (Do they use soap? A sponge or washcloth? Dishwasher or in the sink?) If water spills, encourage toddlers to help by using the towel/paper towels to wipe it up.
Materials Needed: damp sponges—1 per toddler and caregiver, dishpan or tub with 2 inches of warm water
Invite preschool-age children to participate with toddlers in Option 1. Talk with children about taking care of the toys and play space, emphasizing that it is a task for everyone to share. Invite children to wash items of your choice, such as tables, chairs, or plastic toys. Outdoors, children can help wash sand toys or tricycles.
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