Put objects into the Hole
Today I would like to introduce the work, “Put objects into the Hole” from Practical Life. This work is a favorite of 2-3 year old children. The purpose of “Put objects into the Whole” is using their fingers and whole hands to acquire the movement of the whole hand.
Children push plastic fruit objects into a hole which is about ping-pong ball size. I recommend using transparent containers so that children will be able to see inside.
Through this activity, children start wondering whether or not the objects could go through. They will also be engaged by watching the colorful objects falling into the box. After they complete the activity, children feel accomplishment and satisfaction. This feeling makes the children want to do it again.
After children master grasping with their whole hand, they will move on to picking the objects up with a prehensile grip or with three fingers (thumb, index, and middle finger). You can change the size of the objects by their levels (a big size preferred first). This prehensile grip will lead to using tools such as tongs, tweezers, chopsticks, and pencils.
You can make different materials with the same concept such as Ohajiki and toothpick.