Posting pegs
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 |
