Invite 1 child to come with you by telling them you have something to show them. Tell the child to bring the basket of bottles to a selected table. Have the young child sit down before you. For choosing the first bottle, place the basket where the child can clearly see the contents of the basket, choose a bottle and then gently push the basket to where the child can still see inside but where it will not disrupt the presentation. That way for later bottle, you will not need to move the basket. Tell the child that you are going to show him how to open and close bottles.
Place your right thumb on a bottle on the point nearest to your body. Wrap your fingers (two is usually enough) around the bottle. Slowly and carefully lift the bottle out of the basket so as to not hit any of the other bottles. Place the bottle on the table by placing the point closest to your body down first, and then the opposite side down as well. Release the bottle with your right fingers and then your thumb.
Opening
Grasp the bottle comfortably with your left thumb and as many fingers as comfortable by placing your left thumb on the part of the bottle closest to your body and your fingers wrapped around to the other side.
Place your right thumb on the bottle’s lid above your left thumb.
Place your right index and middle finger on the lid and slightly wrap them clockwise toward your thumb.
Turn the lid to the left as far as you can.
Release both right fingers and then your right thumb.
Replace your right fingers as before and continue the twisting/releasing/replacing until the lid can no longer turn.
Place your right thumb on the lid above your left thumb.
Place your middle finger opposite your thumb on the lid.
Raise the lid directly in the air.
Place your right index finger on the middle point on the lid’s lip to the left of your other fingers and equidistance from both.
Bend your right index finger towards your palm and is doing so, you will be rotating the lid.
Continue this movement until the under part of the lid is now fully facing up.
Lift your index finger off the lid and with your thumb and middle finger place the lid on the table near the bottle and in the child’s sight.
Remove both fingers by first lifting your right middle finger and then your thumb.
Remove your left hand from the bottle by lifting your fingers and then thumb.
Closing
Place your left hand on the bottle the same way you did as when you began opening.
Place your right thumb on the bottle’s lid on the part closest to you.
Place your right middle finger opposite your thumb.
Lift the bottle lid with the under part still pointing up.
Place your right index finger on the middle point on the lid’s lip to the left of your other fingers and equidistance from both.
Bend your index finger toward your palm so the lid turns but this time stop when the top of the lid is pointing up.
Place the lid on the bottle’s opening and give a little press to make sure the lid is put on straight.
Lift your right middle finger and then your thumb.
Replace your right thumb on the lid so it is above your left thumb.
Place your right index finger and middle finger on the lid by wrapping them around to your left to come closer to your thumb.
Twist the lid clockwise.
Lift both right fingers and then your thumb.
Replace your right thumb and then your fingers as above and continue the twist.
Repeat until the lid can no longer turn.
Lift your two right fingers and then your thumb.
Lift your left fingers and then your thumb.
Place the bottle in front of the child and offer the child the opportunity to open and close this bottle.
Once the child has been successful, ask the child to place the bottle gently on the top left corner of his table.
If the child had some difficulty, demonstrate again with another bottle, possibly asking the child to choose the bottle this time.
Continue the presentation if the child seems to need them but if not, let the child finish opening and closing the other bottles.
Once the child has opened and closed all the bottles, come back and demonstrate how to gently put one bottle back in the basket at a time and then to place the basket back in its place.
Purpose
Direct: To assist the child to independently cope with opening and closing bottles.
Indirect: To strengthen the hand and wrist muscles.
Points of Interests Feeling the lid rotate upwards or downwards when opening and closing.
Age 2 1/2 - 3 1/2
Video This Montessori Video shows how to present a child with opening and closing bottles.
