Description and Learning Objectives
Splish! Splash! Water play is always an exciting activity in the Under 2 community. Water is a soothing sensory activity wherein the children can feel the movement, density, and texture of the water all over their hands, sometimes even all over their bodies! The teachers often add a variety of accessories such as food colouring, bubbles, funnels, and water toys to the water to enrich the experience.
Materials
- A bin or something large enough to hold water
- Variety of water toys and accessories (e.g. scoops, cups, funnels, sponges, pretend fruit, etc.)
- Food coloring and bubbles can be added to provide different experiences
Observations and Findings
Water play offers children the opportunity to learn and get a better understanding of cause and effect. They are able to see and experience what happens when something goes from dry to wet not only through the use of their hands, but also with the use of tools and accessories. For example, the child are able to observe how a sponge expands in the water and what happens when they squeeze the sponge. Children begin to understand that once they do one thing something else will occur. For instance, if a child hits the water with the palm of their hands they will see that it makes the water splash.
Providing children with different tools and accessories, also allows the children to experience and practice other skills that they will need in the future. Allowing them to use scoops, cups, and funnels helps them improve their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Thus allowing them to take what they have practiced and apply it to their daily lives with confidence and independence (e.g. feeding themselves with a spoon).
