adam.raistrick@northcliffemedia.co.uk

Children from Wise Owl Nursery in Scunthorpe got wise with

water earlier this week. Using their Early Excellence water play resources the

children learned how to manipulate water in different ways.

The two children opposite decided to use water, shaving foam

and paint brushes to mark make on the wall. Children love making a mess and

this is a really easy to clean up – just rinse with water.

Both indoor and outdoor water play is really beneficial to

children as it is always open ended. It also allows the child to learn and develop

through all 7 areas of the EYFS.

The 3 'prime' areas are particularly crucial for "igniting

children's curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their

capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive" (EYFS 2012). The prime areas

are:

Communication and language: During this case study the children

developed their language as they explained how the water feels and what they

are going to do with it. The children did this in small groups to develop their

confidence in speaking to others "look bubbles" another said "if you sweep like

this you can make more".

Physical Development: It encourages children to get active and

develop their co-ordination, control, and movement. For example, the children

at Wise Owl were reaching up with their paint brushes, brushing the floor with sweeping

brushes to create bubbles using water and washing up liquid, carrying and pouring

water in different containers.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development: The children

were building up relationships with their peers by playing the activities

together. The children respected each other by taking turns to use the sweeping

brushes and when one got upset an older child came to explain how to do it. This

demonstrates how the children learn how to manage their feelings and to have confidence

in their own abilities.

The 3 'specific'

areas strengthen the prime areas. These are:

Literacy: The children developed their coordination by making

shapes and writing with shaving foam. In the setting they are encouraged to

read as all the equipment is labelled so the children can identify them.

Mathematics: As the children

experimented with the water staff were encouraging them uses concepts such as more/less,

same/different, many/few, empty/full, greater than/less than, and counting. For

example, they asked the children "how many scoops of water does it take to fill

a bucket" and "how long does it take for the water to drain through a sieve?"

Understanding the world: This involves guiding children to

make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to

explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the

environment. For instance, the children asked "where does rain come from?" A

staff member recited the song 'Pitter Patter Raindrops' with the children to

help them understand, the children were so engaged they joined in with actions.

Expressive arts and design: Children at the nursery used

their imaginations by pretending to be fire fighters and designing hose pipes

using flexi pipe with a funnel at the back end; one fire fighter held the pipe and

aimed for the 'fire' whilst others poured water in.

 

Outdoor Water Play Ideas

Here are some simple activities you can try at home:

Water slide: get a selection of

different sized pipes and a few plastic crates ask the children to transport

water from one bucket to another without moving the buckets.

Beach: Add water to the sandpit,

containers for sand molding, child-size beach chairs, and buckets and spades.

Bath Time: Take some warm, sudsy water,

dish tub, washable baby dolls, washcloths, bath toys, and towels.

Mud Kitchen: mud, water, pie tins,

plastic spoons, plastic knives, craft sticks, grass, small sticks, leaves.