Posting a peg into a bottle helps children develop their hand–eye co-ordination.
It also encourages problem solving — the child has to figure out how to line the peg up so it fits into the hole.
It gives them a chance to have fun and feel satisfaction with their achievements.
It can be developed into a turn-taking activity.
It also provides an opportunity for using language-building strategies — parallel talk, self-talk and stretch talk.
How to do it
Use pegs without springs, so your child doesn’t pinch their lips or tongue if they put the peg in their mouth.
Use a plastic bottle with a handle so they can hold the bottle steady with one hand — a clean milk bottle is ideal.
Give your toddler a peg and the bottle and let them explore — see what they do with them.
Invite them to put the peg in the bottle and see what they do.
If necessary, show them how to post the peg, or guide their hand.
If they aren’t experiencing success, find a container with a wider opening to practise with, and then try the bottle again later.
Using more te reo Māori
Te reo Māori
English
Ipu
ipu
Container, bowl, vessel, calabash, urn, vase, mug - vessel for holding anything, but especially liquids.Maori | Noun
Container
Ipu miraka
Milk bottle
Kōhao
kōhao
Hole (as in a needle)Maori | Noun
Hole
Mātiti
mātiti
Peg, wedge - for tightening or securing somethingMaori | Noun
Peg
Kohiā te mātiti
Pick up the peg
Kuhuna ki roto
Put it in
Tukuna
tukuna
To release, let go, give up, leave, resign, put off, descend, get off, let down, download (computer), set free, allow, send, pass, serve, bowl, submit - reflects the notion of transferMaori | Verb
Release, let go
Anō
anō
Again, more, sameMaori | Particle
Do it again
Ahua nui rawa tēnā mātiti?
This peg might be too big
Me mahi tāua anō
Let's try again
He aha te tae ō tēnā mātiti?
What colour is that peg?
Whakamatuatia te ipu miraka
Keep the milk bottle steady
Puritia te hānara
Hold the handle
Nōu te wā
Your turn
Nōku te wā
My turn
Ko koe te tuatahi
You go first
Ko au te tuarua
I'll go second
Whakamātauhia
whakamātauhia
To attempt, try, experiment, cause to know, teach, tempt, try out, trialMaori | Verb
To experiment
Takakawe
takakawe
To strive, persist, endeavour, try hardMaori | Verb
Persist, try hard
Mahia pēnei
Do it like this
Homai te...
Give me the...
Mauria mai te...
Bring me the...
Whakaretiretitia
whakaretiretitia
To slide, ski, surfMaori | Verb