Water

Water

by: BH - 23-07-12 22:02

Hi

We are focusing on 'water' during august since a lot of the children are going on their holidays and spending time in the pool/ sea. We have a group time each morning in which we get together with our key children and branch off with them into smaller groups of 5-6. The children are aged 2-5 years. We use this time as some of our long term planning so I was just wondering if anybody had any really fun but meaningful activity ideas that i could use as i have some of the obvious (melting and freezing/ floating and sinking/ talking about our experiences of water) but i would like some more.

Thank you

by: Rosie

Pur mirors in the water for children to find their reflection and how/why it looks different. I have frozen water in balloons before and called them icebergs which the children loved. Also you can freeze items in ice cube trays for children to work what is inside and how long it takes to melt or try to get them out of the ice. You could put different colours into the water and see how it changes and why. Or add things to see how they change in water - eg. a sponge expands in water etc.

by: BH

Thanks for those ideas, really like the balloon one as I could use this to alter the continuous provision too. 

by: Jellytots

Hey, I've used other liquids the children may see at home such as shower gel, liquid soap, cooking oil etc to see which mix with water, the children can chose which they want add small or large amounts etc x

by: BH

That sounds interesting too, thanks :)

by: Kandy Flip

Freezing water in gloves helps to make ice hands. Spooky!

by: messy jessie

Big splahy paintings with wet paper and watered down paint. Can make a lovely seascape backdrop too.

by: Bee

If you could access some pieces of guttering (half and full drain pipes) you could ignite interest with travelling water. It is quite easy to create a panel using MDF and a variety of fixtures and fittings for the children to pour into. Attach whole thing to a fence.
You could paddle in a tuff spot and make footprints.
With older children you could organise a relay race where they have to carry a cup of water and pour it into a container at the end of their lap. The winning team are the ones that collect the most water??
Good luck

by: Bee

You could give each child a piece of chalk and a container full of water. Explain that you are going to draw a shape big enough for your water to stay inside. Model by drawing a circle that is too small and talk about water pouring everywhere. Then model drawing a bigger shape and try again. Children to do the same. Great for size language 'too big' 'too small'

by: BH

Been using some and sharing them with other staff so thank you! Finding it had to create ideas when i havent had a lot of experience, been to uni but that doesnt give you masses of ideas around activities you could provide when you are in a setting!