It’s the weekend again and this means time for all the time consuming jobs like washing the car but have you ever stopped to think about how many learning opportunities this activity creates?
So as a ‘learning chore’ how does car washing make the grade?
Car washing is a great opportunity for teaching opposites - how many other situations have the pairs of clean / dirty, wet / dry, hot / cold (water) and high / low all in one activity?
Car washing can give the chance to teach sub-labels of parts (or components) of a car e.g. wheel, window, mirror, light and number plate. It is much easier to study these things on a life size car than a model one, plus it is a natural introduction to the language if you ask your child to wash the wheels or the lights.
Finally car washing is great for developing gross motor skills – it involves bending, reaching and stretching, crossing the midline (using your right hand on the left side of your body) and lifting / carrying buckets of water increases strength.
So as a chore – car washing is pretty successful at creating opportunities for learning whilst being fun for children to join in with.
I had never stopped to think about all the teaching opportunities involved with car washing; there is really rather a lot when you spell them out like that. More car washing for my gang from now on, it might even be my chosen picture for a future Country Kids Linky since we have a free DIY car wash facility in our car park! Thank for entering
Fiona Cambouropoulos @coombemill recently posted..Country Kids from Coombe Mill
Thanks for the comment and the opportunity to link up
I couldn’t agree more there is just one added complication in my house car washing requires payment! So currency, bartering, and maths! My 6 year old thinks it’s a good way to earn…
Yes earning is beginning to feature in our house too – we are into earning screen time for chores.
I shall have to remember that one for next weekend – not sure how the logistics of my children reaching the top of my car (Ford Galaxy) will work but sure we can work something out. Great post.
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Great idea! It’s amazing the learning opportunities in something like this. It’s also the responsibility thing, they get a sense of accomplishment from having helped you out.
By the way if you’re hiring your kids out, my car needs a good clean!
Thanks for linking to the education showcase
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