Illustration coming soonThe Spoon That Points Away
Dovi puts an empty bowl on the table. Mommy lays a spoon beside her own bowl. Dovi watches her hand.
He puts his spoon the same way. The bowl of the spoon is near him. The handle points toward the middle of the table.
Dovi reaches over the spoon to find the handle. His sleeve brushes the empty bowl. "It is far away," he says.
Mommy comes beside him. "Show me where you want to hold it." Dovi points to the handle. "This end."
Dovi turns the spoon. Now the handle is near his hand. He picks it up without reaching across the bowl.
"I made mine look like yours," he says. "You sit over there," says Mommy. "Come look from your place." Dovi sits in his chair. His spoon is ready for him.
Dovi carries another spoon to Mommy’s place. "Which way do you want it?" he asks. Mommy points. Dovi lays the handle where she can reach it.
Mommy brings breakfast. Dovi picks up his spoon. Her spoon points toward her. His points toward him. Both handles are easy to reach.
Activity 1
Which part of the spoon does Dovi want to hold?
Activity 2
What happens when Dovi reaches over the spoon?
Activity 3
What small change does Dovi make?
Activity 4
Where does Dovi sit to check his spoon?
Activity 5
What does he ask before putting down Mommy’s spoon?
Activity 6
Draw an empty bowl and a spoon with its handle toward the person using it.
Activity 7
With a grown-up, turn a large safe spoon on a clear table. Show the end you hold. You may watch instead.
Activity 8
A grown-up asks, "Where would you like this empty cup?" Point to a safe place or say a word.
Grown-up notes and answers
1. The handle.
2. His sleeve brushes the empty bowl.
3. He turns the spoon so its handle is near his hand.
4. In his own chair, at his place.
5. Which way do you want it?
6. Accept any drawing showing an accessible handle, no fixed left/right answer.
7. Handle. Use no food or hot liquid; no sharp utensil or reach across another person.
8. Adult checks stable surface and reachable position. Asking and listening matter, not one correct side.