Dusting a Table

Material

- A Table
- A Tray
- A Duster (a cloth folded into fours)
- A Brush with soft bristles (for extension)

Presentation

Introduction

Prepare a table to be dusted. Set a stool next to the table. Invite a child to come by telling them you have something to show them. Have the child bring the appropriate basket and have them place it onto the stool next to the table. Tell the child that you will be showing him how to dust a table.

Preparation

1. Begin by naming the cloth as “duster”.

Presentation

1. Pick up the duster with both hands and place it onto the table.
2. Lift up the top flap to the bottom right of the duster by pinching the edge with your left thumb and index finger.
3. Slide your four right fingers under the lifted flap to the top left corner of the duster.
4. Lower the flap with your left fingers and let go of the flap when it has been placed down flat on top of your right fingers.
5. Slide your right thumb under the entire duster and place it firmly under the area of your four right fingers.
6. Lift the cloth to show the child that you are holding it in place with your right thumb.
7. Place your right hand (that is in the duster) in the top left corner of the table as flat as possible.
8. Slowly and in a continuous manner, slide your hand down from top to bottom.
9. When you get to the bottom, slowly rotate your hand upward and a little to the left side to scoop up the dust. 
10. Pause as you are rotating the duster so the child can clearly see your movements.
11. Lift the duster off of the table.
12. Show the child the dust on the duster if there is any.
13. Repeat these movements from top to bottom, left to right until the whole table has been dusted.

Completion

1. Pull the duster off of your right hand by pinching the bottom corner of the flap that is over your right fingers with your left thumb and index finger.
2. Bring the duster over to the bin.
3. Bring the duster to arms length away from your body (make sure it is still over the bin), turn your face away from the duster and with a strong shake, shake the duster once.
4. Look to see if the dust has come off of the duster.
5. If the duster is still dusty, repeat this shaking movement, one shake at a time.
6. Once the duster is no longer dusty, place it in the laundry bin.
7. Show the child where the clean dusters are and replace the dirty duster with a clean duster.
8. Place the clean duster into the basket.
9. Invite the child to dust the same table or another table.
10. Tell the child that when he is done, he can replace the basket back onto the shelves where it belongs.

Purpose

Direct: Care of the Environment: the child becomes aware of the accumulation of dust and is helped to dust independently.
 
Indirect: Coordination and carefulness in movements.

Points of Interests
Seeing the dust on the duster.

Age
2 1/2 -  4 years

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