We Play

Welcome to this week’s We Play! After a solid week of illness, couch time and frequent rain, Immy and I stepped outdoors to discover a puddle in our hammock. What a great opportunity to play and, unbeknown to Immy, to experiment with a scientific concept!
We collected objects from around the yard to test what would float and what would sink. As a junior primary school teacher, I used to struggle with finding workable ways to allow a group of 25+ children enjoy hands on science activities on a regular basis. Working in child care, preschool or at home, it is so much easier to provide these types of fun, and essential, hands on playful learning experiences regularly. Immy walked away from this short, play experience confidently using the word ‘float’ to describe those objects that stayed on top of the water. Of course, we love water play so much that it is a lesson we will revisit again and again and that is exactly what young children need!

“Children are natural researchers as they question what they see, hypothesise solutions, predict outcomes, experiment, and reflect on their discoveries. Children are not passive, empty vessels waiting to be filled; rather, they are self motivated learners actively seeking to understand the complex world in which they live.”

– L Stanley

My favourite link from last week? I’ll give you a clue, it was easily the messiest! And it looks like tremendous fun! Check it out here.

What have you been playing this week?

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10 Comments

  1. Princess has been experimenting with what floats and what doesn't regualrly (and spontaneously) at beth time (since she has decided she no longer likes showers!). Little bottles are tested empty, then filled with water, with lids on and with lids off. Lots of fun for little scientists!

  2. I hope you are all feeling better 🙂

    We took advantage of some puddles yesterday also and did some puddle jumping…..but this week I've shared some popcorn play.

  3. We're heading down your way, I'll remember to pack the girls' gumboots! Playing with water is so much fun 🙂 We've been playing with slides, sending all sorts of things down them.

  4. Water play is always wonderful! I hope everyone stays healthy for a while now!

  5. katepickle says:

    My girls have just revisited this at science in school…. always a fabulous learning opportunity.

  6. Hear Mum Roar says:

    I love the spontaneous play that comes after a good rain! I really must join in on this carnival soon:)

  7. That is one thing I love about doing part time home schooling, we are able to explore scientific principals at our leisure in a one on one setting. Would be so much harder in a group setting.

  8. Gill@OurParklife says:

    it is a hard time of year with all the rain and yucky colds, isn't it?!

    Yes, I agree – doing this sort of activity is a lot different on a smaller scale….And it is so nice when it evolves spontaneously….

  9. jeannine: waddlee-ah-chaa says:

    My children love any kind of water play! My son collects items and investigates what sinks and floats.

  10. Christie - Childhood 101 says:

    We love water play too, and it really is so much easier to explore these types of concepts one on one or in a small group.

    Thanks everyone who is playing this week, and Hear Mum Roar – we look forward to you joining us 🙂

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