Open cups

[playfelt]

All of my kids use cups with lids the entire time they are with me. I prefer to not ever use the no spill insert though so they get the liquid without a lot of effort. Going lidless is something they can do at home. One less chance for a spill here and in the grand scheme of things it is not my job to teach kids everything. One they go to school many elementary kids get a no spill cup in their lunchbox so not a big deal. Even adults use sippy bottles or lidded coffee cups on their desks at work.

[AmandaKDT]

I use the Take and Toss type cups with lids, they are not expensive and don't have straws. Once they are around 4 years old I give them a small amount of water in a open cup and practice where to keep the cup on the table so it doesn't get knocked over. But they don't get to walk around with the open cups, it is only for when we are sitting and eating. I wouldn't even consider open cups for your age group, it will just result in a bunch of wet kids and stress for you.

[Lee-Bee]

Thanks all. I didn't even think of the take and toss sippy cups. I will pick some up. I can easily wash those each night in the dishwasher. The straw sippy cups are a pain to take all the pieces apart to wash so I was really hoping to avoid that with milk cups!

[Montessori-Mom]

i am sorry but how does giving a 4 year old child a baby cup help foster independence. Young toddlers are very capable of using a regular cup. yes it is messy at first so only put a sip at a time. As educators we should not be treating young children like infants. they are more capable than you think

[kimg]

It depends on the child for me. I have a very clumsy "young" 2.5 yr old that I'm not even considering switching to an open cup. He gets a take and toss cup with lid. But I had my son on an open cup by then.

I agree with the PP who said that the parents can take the lead teaching that particular skill. I don't have time at lunch to clean up spills from 5 kids.

[Montessori-Mom]

My son was in a montessori daycare so there were no sippy cups. he went straight to a cup as soon as he could sit up. at home we bought heavy bottomed shot glass as they were the perfect size for little hands and if he spills it is not a big deal