Why Laundry Delivery Relay works

Deliver one light item of laundry at a time between two baskets using careful walking and sorting choices. Place two stable laundry baskets several steps apart and use only light items such as socks, washcloths or small T-shirts.

Set up — Place two stable laundry baskets several steps apart and use only light…

Prepare household items before the child is asked to place two stable laundry baskets several steps apart and use only light items such as socks, washcloths or small T-shirts. Use the result of having the child place two stable laundry baskets several steps apart and use only light items such as socks, washcloths or small T-shirts as the setup for the move into the child takes one item, walks it to the second basket and drops it in. Keep the floor clear and the movement controlled while that starting condition is being established.

Step 2 — The child takes one item, walks it to the second basket and…

Keep the pace slow while the child tries to the child takes one item, walks it to the second basket and drops it in. If the effect is hard to see, simplify that action before continuing with the instruction to add a sorting rule such as socks first or light colors before dark.

Step 3 — Add a sorting rule such as socks first or light colors before…

Treat the attempt to add a sorting rule such as socks first or light colors before dark as a checkpoint between the earlier step to the child takes one item, walks it to the second basket and drops it in and the coming step to keep baskets stationary and out of walkways. A perfect answer is not required.

Step 4 — Keep baskets stationary and out of walkways

After completing the instruction to keep baskets stationary and out of walkways, pause and ask what changed from the earlier step where they had to add a sorting rule such as socks first or light colors before dark. Use that answer to decide whether they are ready to sort by type.

Step 5 — Sort by type

Keep the adult prompt brief while the child tries to sort by type. If needed, return to the earlier step to keep baskets stationary and out of walkways before asking them to sort by type.

What to notice before Sort by type

Keep adult commentary light while the child works toward keep baskets stationary and out of walkways. Their own response should show whether the child can change action or direction deliberately without losing control before the activity finishes with the request to sort by type.

Make Add a sorting rule such as socks… easier or harder

For younger or less confident players, shorten the route, slow the pace, or use fewer actions before the step to add a sorting rule such as socks first or light colors before dark. If the child asks for more, add one remembered action or direction change without increasing speed and then return to the final request to sort by type.

Finish after Sort by type

Sort by type. Finish the activity there rather than repeating the same successful cycle. For another activity, use the activity search or create one with the activity generator.