Posting pegs Activity
Posting pegs into a bottle is a fun game where toddlers learn about anticipation from repetition. It supports problem-solving and explores science (gravity, momentum, force). When played with whānau, language and turn-taking skills are developed.
Why do it?
- Posting a peg into a bottle helps children develop their hand–eye coordination.
- 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 | Container |
Ipu miraka | Milk bottle |
Kōhao | Hole |
Mātiti | Peg |
Kohiā te mātiti | Pick up the peg |
Kuhuna ki roto | Put it in |
Tukuna | Release, let go |
Anō | 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 | To experiment |
Takakawe | Persist, try hard |
Mahia pēnei | Do it like this |
Homai te... | Give me the... |
Mauria mai te... | Bring me the... |
Whakaretiretitia | To slide, slide down |
Haere ki roto | In it goes |
Ruiruia te ipu | Shake the bottle |
Haere mai ngā mātiti | Here comes the pegs |
Tahi, rua, toru, whā | One, two, three, four |