Wiping Their Face with a Washcloth
A warm washcloth, a mirror at their height, and the first care they give themselves.
Wiping Their Face with a Washcloth is a Montessori activity for a child aged 12 to 18 months. Area: Practical Life. Time: 5 min.
What the activity builds
Take care of their own face, and connect their reflection to their hands.
The materials
- A small washcloth, dampened with warm water and well wrung out
- An unbreakable mirror mounted at their height
- A low towel rack where they can set the washcloth down
How to do it, step by step
- Sit down together in front of the mirror.
- Run the washcloth over your own face, slowly, while watching yourself.
- Hand them the washcloth without saying anything.
- Let them do it, even if they only touch one cheek or just their hair.
- Show them where to set the washcloth down when they're finished.
The parent's role
Show once, then step back. Don't finish the job for them right afterward: a half clean face that you finish undoes what they just did. If it's really needed, wait a bit and handle it differently later.
Safety
Always test the washcloth's temperature on the inside of your wrist. A mirror must be unbreakable and securely mounted, never just leaned against a wall. Don't leave a wet washcloth in their crib or playpen.
You remain the sole judge of what is right for your child. These activities are offered for educational and recreational purposes: they do not replace medical advice or the guidance of an early childhood professional.
Ways to adapt the activity
- Easier: a barely damp washcloth, hands only.
- Harder: they wet and wring out the washcloth themselves in a small basin.
- Extension: blowing their own nose into a tissue placed at their height.
Up next
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