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Ages 2+

Window Washer

Have you got some lovely fingerprints and smudges on your windows? How about giving your child the opportunity to make those surfaces squeaky clean? Children love being able to ‘help’ if they see a family member doing it, and they will feel a great sense of pride once the windows have been washed.

 

Things you will need

  • Natural dishwashing detergent in warm water
  • Old newspaper/paper towels
  • Sponge or rag.

 

How to Do It?

Demonstrate washing the windows to your child first. Dip the sponge into the water and wet the area to be cleaned before wiping it down with paper towels/old newspaper.

Now guide your child to do the same. Talk with your child about the process and introduce concepts such as dirty and clean, streaky and clear, wet and dry.

If necessary, use, or support your child to use a garden hose to wet down or rinse off an area.

 

What Learning is Occurring?

  • Sense of contribution and independence
  • Large muscle development
  • Growing awareness of cleaning and caring for their environment
  • Growing an appreciation for the work others do in the home.

 

Tips

  • Do not allow your child to use a chair as they could fall – if they have to, supervise closely
  • Discuss with your child how much cleaner the windows look, and don’t forget to thank your child for their help
  • You could also talk with them about how warm their bodies feel when they are doing active movement.

 

Age Considerations

  • Toddler: your toddler can assist you by helping mix up soap and water and helping you to wash the window
  • Kinder: if your windows are outside and the hose can reach them, ask your child to hose down the widows for you
  • Transition to school: explain the steps that you need to undertake to successfully wash the windows. As yyour child does each step, take a photo. Print and use these to help your child create a visual step by step guide which they will be able to follow next time they wash the windows.

Consider what else children can help wash in similar ways, etc the family car, caravan or boat.

picture_as_pdf View Resource

Sourced from “Bright Ideas for Young Minds”, developed and adapted by Alix Broadhead, NSW Curriculum Mentor

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