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Making a Splash

"Endless hours of what-causes-what-to-happen experimenting--pushing, pulling, turning, twisting, and touching things--helps a child figure out how and why things work...I think it's nothing short of magical to watch this learning-through-play in action." 
-- Jill Stamm, Ph.D., Bright from the Start

I was so thankful for the nice weather today. 90s with a breeze is nice when it's July and it could be 110 degrees (with no breeze). Jacqueline and Abigail enjoy playing outside, and they learn so much from outdoor exploration. Earlier this summer I purchased a couple water activity tables and had to return them because they leaked. Today we got creative and just used big bowls of water for our play time. I put bath toys in the bowls, some leaves and also some ice cubes. Jacqueline and Abigail liked the ice cubes--I'm sure they felt good on their teething gums!
As I observed the girls, I noticed them taking the animals out of the bowls, putting them in their mouths (of course), handing toys to me, and splashing the water. Abby started her own little pile of ice cubes, toys and leaves on the step next to her. Then she did something that I thought was interesting--she placed a leaf on top of the cat. The leaf rested on the cat's back. She tried to stack the elephant on top of the leaf (and cat), but the elephant immediately fell right off. I wonder if through this "experiment", Abby made a connection about size and shape and stacking toys. I'm so curious what motivated her to put the leaf on the cat. She was pleased with her accomplishment and took a moment to celebrate with clapping.
As the girls placed ice cubes in the water and picked them up to suck on them, did they recognize how the cube changed shape and eventually melted? Were they aware of the temperature difference between the water in the bowls and the ice cubes? There is so much to learn from simple activities like these. I hope to continually give Jacqueline and Abigail opportunities to learn as they play.
What a JOY it is to observe my daughters exploring and making connections in the world around them.



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