Dish-washing helper

From the house

• A sturdy step stool
• Plastic cups, bowls and spoons
• A sponge
• A little dish soap
• A towel

How to play

1. They stand on the stool at the sink with a few inches of warm, soapy water.
2. They wash the plastic dishes with the sponge.
3. Rinse them and stack them on a towel to dry.
4. Thank them for helping: they’ll feel very grown-up.

Fit it to your child

• Easier: Set a bowl of water on a towel on the floor instead, with one cup and a sponge.
• Harder: They wash forks, spoons and unbreakable plates too, then dry them and put them away.

Words to use

• wash
• rinse
• wet
• dry
• clean

Why it helps

Doing a real job the grown-ups do tells them they’re trusted and capable, and warm water is calming at the end of the day.