Preliminary Movements

Pouring Water
Materials Tray
Two identical ceramic or porcelain pitchers, one 2/3 full of water
A small cloth or sponge
For following exercises:
Small buckets, food coloring, a variety of pitchers, a variety of
glasses and containers, various colored trays, sponges or drying
cloths, a funnel, measuring cups

Purposes Visual Motor Coordination

Fine Motor Coordination
Preliminary Movement

Age 2 ½ to 3 ½

Presentation 1 and 2 Presentations 1 and 2 are the same as pouring grain, except that if
you spill, you use the sponge or the small cloth to wipe up the
spill. Move both pitchers off the table and check for water on the
tray when you are done.

Points of Interest 1. The rate and level of pouring

2. Spillage
3. The height from which you pour
4. Getting out the last drop of water
5. Centering the pitcher before pouring
6. The sound of the water
7. No glasses touching (for following exercises)
Following Exercises Note: For all of the following exercises, use clear pitchers and
colored water. Over time, use a variety of pitchers and
interesting glasses. You will also need a bucket. These
following exercises are not put on the shelf, but are put for a
period of time on the special interest table.
1. Pouring water into a single glass.
2. Pouring water into two identical glasses.
3. Pouring water into three different sized glasses.
4. Pouring water into several glasses of the same height and
different diameters.
5. Mark several identical glasses at the same height with thin
tape.
6. Take several identical glasses and mark them at different
heights.
 Preliminary Movements
Pouring Water

7. Pouring into a very thin opening with a funnel. A notched

sponge is good to lay the tip of the funnel on.
8. How to open a small milk carton and pour it into a glass.
9. Exercises for pouring into and using measuring cups.
10. Pouring into small beakers and or test
tube.

Pedagogical Notes  The spout of the pitcher should be fairly narrow so that it does
not drip.