My early pouring skills

These activities are suitable for children aged 21-30 months and align with stage 4 of the Developmental Journal Babies Visual Impairment (DJVI).

Safety first

What you'll need

• A range of containers and pouring equipment; cups, beakers, jugs, bowls, bottles.
• An organised pouring space preferably with a non-slip surface, such as a large tray or washing up bowl.
• Cloth or towel to clean up any spillages.
• Items to pour, such as water, sand or large building blocks.

Tips

Pouring with your child is a good play activity. Try pouring water from one container to another in a suitable place, for example in the bath or an outdoor water and sand station. This helps develop the sense of space, flow and sounds between the item being poured and the containers.

Practise pouring solids first to learn the action and develop an awareness of the space. Begin by using sand or objects such as large building blocks. 

Activity

• Working over a large tray or bowl, encourage your child to pour different solids and liquids into a range of containers.
• You can guide your child by completing the activity yourself as they place their hands over yours to feel the different actions and movements.
• Throughout these activities, try to describe each action and encourage your child to engage with learning through the full range of senses. For example, listening to the sounds when pouring and feeling the weight of containers as they empty and fill.