Pouring is a fundamental activity in a Montessori classroom and falls under the Practical Life area. The Practical Life area focuses on developing skills that children need for daily life, fostering independence, coordination, concentration, and a sense of order.
Materials: The Pouring exercise usually involves two identical small pitchers, cups, or bowls, and a substance to pour, which could be water, dry beans, rice, or sand. A tray is also often used to define the work area and to catch any spills.
Procedure: The teacher or guide presents the activity by first placing the material to be poured in one pitcher and leaving the other one empty. The child is shown how to grasp the pitcher with both hands and carefully pour the substance into the empty pitcher, then pour it back into the original pitcher. Any spills are cleaned up immediately, showing the child how to take responsibility for their work.
The child is then invited to do the pouring themselves. They can repeat this activity as many times as they want, encouraging repetition and refinement of skills.
Purpose: The Pouring activity helps children develop their fine motor skills, specifically their hand-eye coordination and control of movement. It also enhances their concentration and focus, as they must pour slowly and carefully to avoid spills.
The activity further promotes independence and confidence, as children gain the ability to pour their drinks or serve themselves food, tasks they often see adults doing.
Extensions: There are several ways the Pouring activity can be extended. For example, children can progress from dry pouring (using rice or beans) to liquid pouring (using water). The substance can be colored for a visual appeal. The quantity of substance used for pouring can be increased over time to challenge the child’s growing skills.
Also, the size of the pitcher or the cup can be varied, or children can be taught to pour from a jug into multiple cups. These extensions continue to develop the child’s motor skills, while also introducing concepts like volume and measurement.