How to Encourage Water Play in Young Children
Water play provides an imaginative way for young children to explore math and science concepts in a hands-on way, according to the National Association for the Education of Young Children. From splashing through puddles in the yard to setting up an indoor water table, water-related activities can help your little learner to use her language skills, problem solve and make her own discoveries. That said, not every child will jump at the chance to engage in water play. Encourage your child to get splashy and show her just how much enjoyment she can get out of this type of play by setting up an array of enticing activities.
Things You'll Need
- Rain boots
- Rain jacket
- Plastic tub
- Plastic measuring cups
- Funnels
- Plastic boats and animals
Instructions
Invite your child to turn a rainy day into an afternoon of play by jumping in some puddles. Dress him for the weather, putting on rain boots and a slicker. Escort your child outside. Look for puddles together, choosing ones that are far from a street and not in a slippery place such as a tall grass area. Tell your child he can jump into the puddles, jump over them or slowly wade into them. Ask him to make different kinds of splashes with his feet or to lightly tap the water to see what happens. Fill a spray bottle with water. Take the bottle, along with your child, outside and let her spray the side of the house, a picnic table or the fence. Pour the rest of the water into a bowl. Give your child a paintbrush and let her "paint" a concrete patio or another area with the water. Fill a plastic tub of water halfway. Give your child plastic boats, animal toys or other objects for pretend play. Stage a simple sink or float experiment. Gather different objects from around the house, such as a cork, plastic blocks, a spoon and a toy car. Ask your child to predict which ones he thinks will sink and which ones will float. Test the items by dropping them into the water. Note which of his predictions was true, asking him why he thinks some of the items stayed on top of the water and others didn't. Let your child explore the water on his own. Fill up the sink or add a shallow layer of water to the bathtub. Give your child entertaining, yet educational, items and toys, such as plastic measuring cups, funnels and scoops, to measure, pour and make her own discoveries.