Hand Transfer

Hand Transfer

Whole hand transfer is a great way for children aged 18 months – 3 years to develop their fine motor skills and coordination. This is a fantastic activity that you can create at home using found objects such as a muffin tin and plastic balls from a ball pit. The key is to choose items that are safe, large enough for small hands to grasp, and offer some resistance or texture to make the transfer process more engaging. You could also use two metal bowls and toy cars.

The possibilities in your kitchen cupboards and around your home are endless! Remember to present from left to right to prepare your child for writing and reading. This simple orientation helps children build familiarity with the visual flow of reading and develop foundational tracking and sequencing skills. Even small details like this contribute meaningfully to future literacy and learning.

In our video demonstration, we model a simple hand transfer activity using a tea caddy box and pom poms. The educator demonstrates how to move objects from one compartment to another, first top to bottom, then left to right. This reinforces orientation and encourages children to move with control and purpose. This type of movement also helps establish left-to-right tracking, which later supports reading and writing habits.

Whole hand transfer is an ideal first step in the Montessori sequence of transfer activities. It introduces children to the concept of movement with intention and helps them practise using both hands equally. These early motor skills support later activities such as pouring, spooning, and tonging.

This activity also encourages independence. Once your child understands the process, they can start repeating it on their own, building confidence and developing a sense of order. It also fosters focus and helps children follow a beginning, middle, and end to a task. This promotes sequencing and a sense of completion.

Home Lesson One

1. Locate two containers, such as a muffin tray and a container, or two bowls
2. Locate a set of objects for transferring such as plastic balls, toy cars, or other objects that are not a choking hazard
3. Place the objects you are going to transfer into one container on your left
4. Show your child how to transfer one object at a time into the second container, using your whole hand, in a left to right movement
5. Invite your child to take a turn
6. Return the objects to their original container

Encourage your child to focus on one object at a time. Using slow, deliberate movement helps develop control, while repetition reinforces coordination.

You can add variation by switching objects or changing containers. Try using soft items, like sponges, or firm items, like wooden blocks, to offer different tactile experiences. You could also extend the activity by using two different coloured bowls and asking your child to sort by colour while transferring.