Empty the Washing Machine

What you need

• a load of clean laundry in the washing machine
• a laundry basket

How to do it

1. When a wash has finished, sit on the floor in front of the machine together with the basket beside you, and open the door.
2. Pull out the first thing yourself and drop it in the basket.
3. Let them reach in and pull out the next thing, then the next. Name each one as it comes: sock, T-shirt, tea towel.
4. When the drum is empty, push the basket together to wherever you dry the laundry.

Why it matters

Pulling the wet things out one by one is a real job from start to finish, and a full basket at the end shows them how much they did.

What they're learning

Reaching and pulling

Leaning into the drum and tugging a wet T-shirt free takes both hands and a steady sit.

Everyday words

Sock, T-shirt, tea towel: said once for each thing as it comes out.

Helping

A household job with a full basket at the end.

What to look for

Notice them peering into the drum to check whether anything is left.

A tip

Check the machine has finished and stopped before they reach in, and keep a hand on the door so it can't swing shut on their fingers. Keep laundry capsules and detergent out of sight and reach, and close the machine door when you're done.

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