Pass the Banana

What you need

• a cloth bag of groceries with a few things they know, like a banana

How to do it

1. Put a bag of shopping, or a few things from the cupboard packed into one, on the floor beside them.
2. Ask for one thing by name: "can you pass the banana?"
3. Take it and put it away.
4. Ask for the next thing they know.

Why it matters

Unpacking is a real job with real things in it, and asking for them by name makes each one a chance to find something from its word.

What they're learning

Finding by name

Picking the banana out of the bag.

Real-life words

Food they know from mealtimes.

Helping out

Passing things to you is proper help.

What to look for

Watch for them rummaging in the bag for the thing you named.

A tip

Say the name without pointing or looking at it; that's what makes it about the word. If they're stuck, point to help and try again another time. Keep glass jars and anything heavy out of their reach.

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