Exploring with Water!

Three- to five -year -olds have been exploring water all their lives, whether in the bath, at a sink, in the rain, or on a beach. Ideally they have had regular opportunities to explore at the water table area in their classroom too. This open exploration of water builds on children's prior experiences by giving them plenty of time to explore water with materials selected to highlight water's movement and its ability to take the shape of it's container.


Today at choice time the children were really into what they were doing at the water table! While I was observing them I realized that they were trying to push the water through the tubes with air ,by squeezing the basters. I asked Sam and Josh, " Can you share with me what you are doing over here?" Josh said," We are making an Air Contraption!" Sam went on to explain that, "We are pushing the air through the tubes, and the air pushes the water around and around all the way over to Josh!" As they continued to squeeze the basters, I asked Sam ,"What happens to the water when you squeeze the basters fast with your hands/fingers?" Sam replied, "The water moves faster." Then I asked ,"What happens when you squeeze the basters slowly?" Josh said,"The water moves slower."


Together Sam's and Josh's individual ideas suggested a bigger picture and a new idea-sharing and connecting tubes can create larger water systems...The "Air Contraption". Such collaborative work provides children with significant opportunities for developing their social skills.