8

Family Exploration and Learning Toolkit:

Home and Community

Florida Institute of Education at the University of North Florida

2012

Toolkit Developers:

Afesa Adams, Ph.D. and

Rebecca England, Ed.D.

Theme: How Things Work

Featured

Book:

Strand: Let’s Talk About It!

Activity Summary:

You and your child do

laundry together while he

learns how a washing

machine works. Your child

uses his vocabulary to

describe the steps for

washing a load of clothes.

8

Family Exploration and Learning Toolkit:

Home and Community

Florida Institute of Education at the University of North Florida

2012

Toolkit Developers:

Afesa Adams, Ph.D. and

Rebecca England, Ed.D.

Theme: How Things Work

Featured

Book:

Strand: Let’s Talk About It!

Activity Summary:

You and your child do

laundry together while he

learns how a washing

machine works. Your child

uses his vocabulary to

describe the steps for

washing a load of clothes.

2

Set the Stage: Talk About a Washing Machinea Washing Machine

1. Read the book Taking Care of Me. After reading the book turn to page 10 of the

book and say, “What is happening in this picture?”

2. After your child answers say, “Yes. This mom and her son are washing clothes in a

washing machine.”

3. Tell your child that a washing machine is one type of household appliance

and today is the day to learn how washing machines work.

4. Encourage your child to listen and watch what you do as you use words to

label parts and describe how washing machines work to get clothes clean

(switch, start button, gauge, cycle, dispenser, friction, rinse, spin). Limit your

introductions of new words to two at a time.

7

http://home.howstuffworks.com/washer1.htm

Resource to extend your experience and discussion:

Background Information for FamiliesBackground Information for Families

How Things Work

What are the different types of washing machines?

Top-loading washing machines have a door on top that is lifted to place clothes in the tub, and an

agitator in the center of the tub. During the wash cycle the agitator moves in one direction for a

few minutes and then switches direction. This is necessary so that the water cycles through the

machine instead of simply spinning around in a circle. Top-loaders are not good for cleaning large

objects such as sleeping bags.

Front-loading washing machines have a door on the front that is opened to place the clothes in

the tub. Often the door has a window. Front-loading machines do not have agitators. The

agitation takes place when the clothes are tumbled back and forth as the tub is rotated. When

the clothes are spinning around to the top, gravity pulls them down so they continue to mix

around and agitate. Less water and soap is needed in a front-loading machine.

2

Set the Stage: Talk About a Washing Machinea Washing Machine

1. Read the book Taking Care of Me. After reading the book turn to page 10 of the

book and say, “What is happening in this picture?”

2. After your child answers say, “Yes. This mom and her son are washing clothes in a

washing machine.”

3. Tell your child that a washing machine is one type of household appliance

and today is the day to learn how washing machines work.

4. Encourage your child to listen and watch what you do as you use words to

label parts and describe how washing machines work to get clothes clean

(switch, start button, gauge, cycle, dispenser, friction, rinse, spin). Limit your

introductions of new words to two at a time.

7

http://home.howstuffworks.com/washer1.htm

Resource to extend your experience and discussion:

Background Information for FamiliesBackground Information for Families

How Things Work

What are the different types of washing machines?

Top-loading washing machines have a door on top that is lifted to place clothes in the tub, and an

agitator in the center of the tub. During the wash cycle the agitator moves in one direction for a

few minutes and then switches direction. This is necessary so that the water cycles through the

machine instead of simply spinning around in a circle. Top-loaders are not good for cleaning large

objects such as sleeping bags.

Front-loading washing machines have a door on the front that is opened to place the clothes in

the tub. Often the door has a window. Front-loading machines do not have agitators. The

agitation takes place when the clothes are tumbled back and forth as the tub is rotated. When

the clothes are spinning around to the top, gravity pulls them down so they continue to mix

around and agitate. Less water and soap is needed in a front-loading machine.

6

How Things Work

How do washing machines work?

Clothes are washed by putting them in the washer and adding detergent and water.

The washing machine fills with the water and detergent mix and stirs the clothes around using the agitator if it is a top loading machine or by tumbling the clothes if it is front loading.

The movement of the clothes in the water solution causes the dirt to be released from the clothes. After moving the clothes around for a while the dirty water drains off and the tub spins to remove water from the clothes.

Next, the rinse cycle begins. The washing machine fills with clean water and agitates the clothes to remove the cleaning solution and then it drains and spins one last time.

What do I need to think about before washing a load of clothes?

Sorting Clothes: Separate clothes to be washed by hand, dry cleaned, or machine-washed based on fabric, color, or weight. Check the label to see what the manufacturer recommends.

Size of the Load: Small, medium, large, extra-large – use this information to adjust the amount of water and detergent.

Water Temperature: Cold/cold, warm/cold, warm/warm, hot/cold – Dark clothes need cold water to reduce fading, white clothes can be washed on either cold or hot water, delicate fabrics need warm water.

Agitation (stirring the clothes): This is based on the fabric being washed— delicates, and permanent press require low agitation, heavy items need more agitation—most machines have settings that let you choose.

Length of Cycle: The number of minutes is based on type of fabric and how dirty the clothes are.

3

Wash Clothes Using a Washing Machine Washing Machine 5. Point out and explain the parts of the washer to your child: the soap dispenser, on/off switch or

button, cycle selector, washer tub, water temperature gauge, hot and cold water hook-ups.

6. Ask your child to help you put clothes in the washer tub. Tell your child which setting

you are choosing and let your child help put soap in the dispenser.

7. Explain that washing clothes takes several steps called cycles. The first cycle is the

wash cycle where the water and soap mix with the clothes and the washer moves the

clothes around for a set amount of time to loosen the dirt. The second cycle is the

rinse cycle when the dirty water is emptied and clean water comes in to remove the

soap. Removing soap is called rinsing. The final cycle is when the washer empties the

water and spins the clothes to remove any water.

8. Encourage your child to watch the machine as it progresses through each cycle.

6

How Things Work

How do washing machines work?

Clothes are washed by putting them in the washer and adding detergent and water.

The washing machine fills with the water and detergent mix and stirs the clothes around using the agitator if it is a top loading machine or by tumbling the clothes if it is front loading.

The movement of the clothes in the water solution causes the dirt to be released from the clothes. After moving the clothes around for a while the dirty water drains off and the tub spins to remove water from the clothes.

Next, the rinse cycle begins. The washing machine fills with clean water and agitates the clothes to remove the cleaning solution and then it drains and spins one last time.

What do I need to think about before washing a load of clothes?

Sorting Clothes: Separate clothes to be washed by hand, dry cleaned, or machine-washed based on fabric, color, or weight. Check the label to see what the manufacturer recommends.

Size of the Load: Small, medium, large, extra-large – use this information to adjust the amount of water and detergent.

Water Temperature: Cold/cold, warm/cold, warm/warm, hot/cold – Dark clothes need cold water to reduce fading, white clothes can be washed on either cold or hot water, delicate fabrics need warm water.

Agitation (stirring the clothes): This is based on the fabric being washed— delicates, and permanent press require low agitation, heavy items need more agitation—most machines have settings that let you choose.

Length of Cycle: The number of minutes is based on type of fabric and how dirty the clothes are.

3

Wash Clothes Using a Washing Machine Washing Machine 5. Point out and explain the parts of the washer to your child: the soap dispenser, on/off switch or

button, cycle selector, washer tub, water temperature gauge, hot and cold water hook-ups.

6. Ask your child to help you put clothes in the washer tub. Tell your child which setting

you are choosing and let your child help put soap in the dispenser.

7. Explain that washing clothes takes several steps called cycles. The first cycle is the

wash cycle where the water and soap mix with the clothes and the washer moves the

clothes around for a set amount of time to loosen the dirt. The second cycle is the

rinse cycle when the dirty water is emptied and clean water comes in to remove the

soap. Removing soap is called rinsing. The final cycle is when the washer empties the

water and spins the clothes to remove any water.

8. Encourage your child to watch the machine as it progresses through each cycle.

4

Allow Your Child to Talk About Washing MachinesWashing Machines

9. Ask your child to use the new vocabulary to describe what is taking place.

10. Engage your child in this activity several times to ensure that he

understand the process.

11. Create opportunities for your child to describe how washers work to

others. Encourage your child to talk about the experience.

How Things Work 5

The main point of this activity is to increase your child’s vocabulary. Read the book

Landmarks as another tool for building your child’s vocabulary. Talk with your child

about what the word landmark means and how it can be used several ways. Use

the situations in the book to help you illustrate two of the meanings for your child.

The Let’s Play book is about the many ways to have fun with others. You can

help your child understand that having fun really depends on how something is

done. Talk with your child about how learning new things can be fun. Discuss

how you have fun when you teach your child something like how washers work.

Help your child think of times when he has had fun while learning.

Follow up the Discussion on New Words and New Experiences New Words and New Experiences

4

Allow Your Child to Talk About Washing MachinesWashing Machines

9. Ask your child to use the new vocabulary to describe what is taking place.

10. Engage your child in this activity several times to ensure that he

understand the process.

11. Create opportunities for your child to describe how washers work to

others. Encourage your child to talk about the experience.

How Things Work 5

The main point of this activity is to increase your child’s vocabulary. Read the book

Landmarks as another tool for building your child’s vocabulary. Talk with your child

about what the word landmark means and how it can be used several ways. Use

the situations in the book to help you illustrate two of the meanings for your child.

The Let’s Play book is about the many ways to have fun with others. You can

help your child understand that having fun really depends on how something is

done. Talk with your child about how learning new things can be fun. Discuss

how you have fun when you teach your child something like how washers work.

Help your child think of times when he has had fun while learning.

Follow up the Discussion on New Words and New Experiences New Words and New Experiences