Big Jug, Little Cups
What you need
- a jug of water
- cups of different sizes
- a tray or big bowl to catch spills
How to do it
- Put a tray down with a jug of water and three cups of different sizes.
- Fill the big cup and the little cup and hold them side by side.
- Ask which one holds more, then pour the little one into the big one to check.
- Let them pour from cup to cup and see which ones overflow.
Why it matters
Pouring a big cup into a little one shows 'too much' without anyone having to say it.
What they're learning
- Comparing size
- Seeing which cup overflows is finding out which one is bigger.
- Pouring
- Tipping slowly and stopping in time is steady, careful hand work.
- Cause and effect
- Too much water in a little cup spills, every time.
What to look for
Notice them slowing down as a small cup gets near the top.
A tip
Outside, or on a towel on the floor, is best; the spills are part of it.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: use one big cup and one little cup
Harder: ask them to fill three cups to the same level
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Sensory activities · Activities for 2 year olds · Toddler activities with a bowl · Toddler activities with cups · Toddler activities with a tray · Toddler water activities