Using Tongs
Skills: hand-eye coordination, order, concentration, coordination, order
Materials:
Two containers, container on left contains small objects 3/4 full, tongs, tray, table
Presentation:
- Invite the child to observe a lesson on using tongs.
- Obtain tray from shelf in the appropriate manner.
- Bring the tray to a table and sit at the table appropriately.
- Take a moment to look at the materials.
- Extend three fingers of dominant hand and grasp the tongs.
- Squeeze the tongs. Slowly release.
- Move the tongs over the container containing objects.
- Lower tongs into the container. Squeeze tongs to pick up an object.
- Lift it up slowly and move toward the empty container.
- Hold the tongs over the container. Lower and release.
- Repeat steps 7-10 until all objects have been moved from the left container to the right container.
- Place tongs on the table.
- Check for any objects that may have fallen onto the tray.
- Pick up using three-finger grasp. Place in full container.
- Grasp sides of tray with two hands. Using two movements, turn the tray clockwise 180 degrees. Place tongs on tray.
- Repeat if desired.
- Return the material to the appropriate location.
Points of Interest:
The appearance of the materials (color and texture), squeezing the tongs, hearing the objects drop into the container, observing the empty container becoming full, and turning the tray.
Control of Error:
- Objects for transferring are of a contrasting color to the tray and tongs, seeing the tray tilt and the containers slide on the tray, seeing objects that have fallen onto the table or tray, the ease or rigidity of the tongs.
Language:
- Tongs, dropper, huller, squeeze release, names of objects used in exercise
Variations:
Using different containers, using different sized beads, shells, pasta, beans, rocks, etc., using different kinds of tong like tools: tweezers, hullers, toast tongs, ice tongs, etc.
Extensions:
Design a sorting activity that uses tongs or tweezers to move the objects, eating snack with “training” chopsticks.