When children visit the shop, one of the things they love doing is... washing our windows!

We have a child-sized spray bottle filled with water and small child-sized squeegee set up at the front window.

Children can spray and wipe windows while their parents shop - and most do!

TRY This at Home

Most young children love cleaning the windows.

This is because they learn by imitating the actions of adults around them. Seeing parents or caregivers engage in household chores, like cleaning the windows, inspires them to do the same.

Helping out also gives young children a feeling of belonging and importance.

They feel proud knowing they can contribute to the household, just like the grown-ups.  

Children also enjoy all the developmental benefits:

• Strengthens fine motor skills - a great pre-writing activity!
• Strengthens the core - standing, reaching, crouching, etc.
• Learn to follow a sequence of steps - an important aspect of learning
• Attention to detail - children notice small droplets of water
• Sensory exploration - working with water, hearing the water spray from bottle, sound of squeegee, etc.
• Develops independence

How To Introduce Window Cleaning

Age: 18 months + (requires strong hand strength to squeeze bottle)

Materials:

• Small spray bottle
• Squeegee
• Small drying cloth
  
• Optional: Waterproof Tray

Purpose: To learn the practical skill of washing the windows while developing fine motor skills and coordination

Adult Preparation: Fill a spray bottle with water. Place it, with the squeegee and drying cloth, next to a window.

Presentation:

1. Stand next to your child and demonstrate how to spray water on the window.
2. Pick up the squeegee and hold the handle with both hands.
3. Squeegee the window from top to bottom.
4. Use the drying cloth to wipe up any remaining water
5. Encourage your child to continue cleaning the windows. 

Notes:

• When demonstrating, spray the water at your child’s height. If you spray any higher, they will too and it may be difficult for them to reach the squeegee that high.   
  
  
• Your child may need to use two hands to squeeze the spray bottle. In the classroom, children can work for days to develop the strength and coordination to maneuver the spray bottle independently. There is a lot of trial and error, i.e. spraying themselves in the face as they watch the water coming out, spraying around the window, etc. but their exploration leads to independence.  
  
  
• When your child is finished, gently point out the wet areas of the window or floor. Encourage your chilld to use a cloth or mop to clean it up. This appeals to their attention to detail while developing care of the environment.

Extensions:

• This same presentation can be used to wash mirrors.  
• This is also a great activity to do outside on a warm day.