Montessori Washing Windows

The Montessori Washing Windows activity is a core part of the Montessori practical life curriculum, offering children a hands-on opportunity to contribute to the care of their environment.

Young child happily washing a window, equipped with a sponge and bucket, demonstrating the Montessori Practical Life activity of window cleaning.
This activity helps children refine their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination as they learn to handle the squeegee and cloth smoothly across the window surface.
  • 📏 Range Age: 3 - 6 years (activity should be adjusted based on the child's age and skill level).
  • 🧠 Prerequisites: Practical Life Activities (Dusting, Using a Sponge), Language Activities (vocabulary building activities for cleaning tools and actions), Cognitive Activities (understanding of clean and dirty, the concept of transparency and reflections)
  • 🛠️ Enhancement Skills: Practical Life Skills (developing thoroughness and precision in cleaning windows), Cognitive Development (attention to detail, following a sequence of steps), Fine Motor Skills (hand-eye coordination, using tools such as squeegees and cloths effectively).

This article discusses the importance of this activity within the Montessori method and how it can be effectively integrated into your child's home learning experience.

Content
  1. What is Washing Windows in Montessori?
  2. Benefits of Washing Windows
  3. Purpose of Washing Windows
  4. Direct Aim
  5. Indirect Aim
  6. Control of Error
  7. Point of Interest
  8. How to Present the Montessori Washing Windows Activity?
    1. Materials
    2. Presentation
    3. Variations & Extentions
    4. Recommendations
  9. References

What is Washing Windows in Montessori?

In Montessori classrooms, Washing Windows is a task that allows children to clean windows using child-sized tools.

This activity not only keeps the windows clean but also helps children develop a range of skills including coordination, sequence memory, and an understanding of practical life applications.

Benefits of Washing Windows

Allowing your child to participate in window washing offers multiple developmental benefits:

  • 💧 Enhances Fine Motor Skills: The act of spraying and wiping helps improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor control.
  • 🪟 Promotes a Sense of Responsibility: Taking part in household chores like window washing instills a sense of responsibility and accomplishment.
  • 🔄 Encourages Follow-through: Completing a start-to-finish task such as washing a window helps children learn the importance of seeing tasks through to the end.
  • 🌱 Develops Environmental Awareness: Regular cleaning activities teach children the importance of maintaining a clean and inviting living environment.
  • 🛡️ Builds Practical Life Skills: Mastering everyday tasks like window cleaning prepares children for future independence.

Purpose of Washing Windows

The purpose of the Washing Windows activity in Montessori education is to cultivate a child's practical skills and respect for their environment, enhancing their autonomy and understanding of everyday tasks.

Children engage their sense of touch and proprioception by feeling the texture of the window, the wetness of the water, and the resistance of the squeegee.

How to Present the Montessori Washing Windows Activity?

Materials

  • A small bucket or container to hold soapy water, ensuring it is accessible and easy to handle for children.
  • Mild, child-safe soap to mix with water, creating a cleaning solution that is effective yet gentle.
  • A sponge or soft cloth for applying the soapy water, designed to be easy for little hands to use without scratching the window surface.
  • A squeegee for removing the soapy water from the windows, aiding in achieving a streak-free finish.
  • A dry cloth or towel to wipe down any remaining moisture, ensuring the windows are left clean and dry.
  • A small apron to protect the child’s clothing during the activity, keeping them dry and comfortable while they work.
  • A stable step stool, if necessary, to ensure children can safely reach higher parts of the window.

The following instructions are the montessori presentation of Washing Windows:

Presentation

  1. Preparation: Walk with the child to the storage area where the window washing supplies are kept, including a bucket, squeegee, sponge, and drying cloth.
  2. Transporting Materials: Instruct the child to carry the bucket and cleaning tools to the window area carefully. Emphasize the importance of handling the materials safely.
  3. Setting Up: Place the bucket down and fill it with water, adding a small amount of window cleaner if appropriate. Discuss the purpose of each tool with the child.
  4. Starting the Cleaning: Show the child how to dip the sponge into the water and then squeeze out excess liquid to avoid dripping.
  5. Applying Soap: Guide the child to wash the window using the sponge, starting from the top left corner and moving horizontally. Ensure they cover the entire surface.
  6. Using the Squeegee: Demonstrate how to use the squeegee to remove the soap and water from the window. Start at the top and pull down in a straight line, wiping the squeegee with the cloth after each pass.
  7. Detailing Edges: After using the squeegee, show the child how to fold the drying cloth and carefully dry the edges and corners of the window to prevent streaks.
  8. Inspection and Touch-ups: Encourage the child to inspect the window for any missed spots or streaks and touch them up with the damp sponge or dry cloth.
  9. Repeating the Process: Allow the child to repeat the process on another window pane or a different window, reinforcing the skills learned.
  10. Cleanup: Once the window is clean, instruct the child to properly rinse the sponge, clean the squeegee, and empty the bucket.
  11. Storing Materials: Walk back to the storage area with the child and guide them to place all tools and the bucket back in their proper places.
  12. Review and Praise: Review the cleaned windows with the child, discussing what they did well and what they could improve next time. Praise their effort and attention to detail.

Variations & Extentions

Variations

  • Introduce different tools for washing windows, such as various sizes of squeegees or different types of cloths (microfiber, newspaper), to give the child experience with multiple cleaning methods.
  • Use colored water for younger children to make the activity more visually engaging and to help them see where they have washed.
  • Include windows of different heights and sizes, ensuring safe access with stools or steps where appropriate, to challenge the child's ability to adapt the cleaning techniques learned.

Extension

  • Encourage the child to plan and execute a routine for window cleaning that includes not just the act of washing but also the preparation and cleanup phases.
  • Extend the activity to include other glass surfaces such as mirrors, glass doors, or even tabletops to broaden the practical application of the skills learned.
  • Link the window washing activity to science lessons about water, solutions, and light, explaining how clean windows can affect the light in a room.

Recommendations

  • Always ensure the child's safety by supervising closely, especially when dealing with water and potentially slippery floors.
  • Teach the child to always put all tools back in their designated places after the activity to foster responsibility and order.
  • Provide positive feedback on the child’s technique and encourage them to notice the difference between a dirty and a clean window to enhance their observation skills and satisfaction from the work done.

References

  • Maria Montessori: Her Life and Work by E.M. Standing (1962). New York: Penguin Books. pp. 120-135.
  • The Montessori Method by Maria Montessori (1984). New York: Random House. pp. 145-160.
  • Montessori Life Blog - The Official Blog of the American Montessori Society - American Montessori Society
  • Training Programmes - Association Montessori Internationale

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Chris Palomino

Hi! I'm Chris Palomino, a B.S. in Psychology, and a mother of a precious one-year-old girl. Over the past eight years, I've been guiding children, particularly those aged 3 to 6 facing developmental and learning challenges, with a special focus on autism and ADHD.

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