Montessori Dressing Frame - Hook & Eye

Wooden Frame 

Presentation

Invite a child to come by telling them you have something to show them. Have the child bring the appropriate dressing frame and have them place it on a specific spot on the table you will be working at. Have the child sit down first, and then you sit down to the child's right. Tell the child that you will be showing him how to use the Hook and Eye. Name each part.

Unhooking

1. Open the right flap to reveal to the child the Hook and Eye.
2. Pinch the top part of the flap and position fingers so that your right thumb is next to the sewn part of the hook and your right index finger is above the material.
3. Place your left index and middle fingers flat on the left side of the material and position fingers so your index is on the sewn part of the eye.
4. Pull the right flap to the left as taught as possible.
5. Rotate your right hand to the right and lift slightly up.
6. Slightly lift the flap open to show that the hook has been taken out of the eye.
7. Gently replace the hook down.
8. Lift your left fingers and then your right.
9. Repeat for the other four, working your way from the top to the bottom.
10. Open flaps: right then left.
11. Close flaps: left then right.
    
    

Hooking

1. Pinch the top part of the flap and position your fingers so your right thumb is next to the sewn part of the hook and your right thumb is wrapped around the material.
2. Place your left index and middle fingers flat on the left side of the material and position fingers so your index is on the sewn part of the eye.
3. Pull the right flap to the left as taught as possible.
4. Scoop the hook down so it slides into the eye.
5. Pull the material in your right hand to the right to verify if the hook has been well placed in the eye.
6. Remove your left fingers and then your right.
7. Repeat for the other four Hook and Eye working your way from the top to the bottom.

Offer the child the opportunity to unhook and hook the Hook and Eye.

Purpose

Direct: Development of independence.

Indirect: Acquiring coordination of movement.

Points of Interests 
Pulling taught to check if the hook has successfully been replaced in the eye.

Age 
3 - 3 1/2years