Learning Science at the Water Table

Everyone knows that playing in water is fun! Splashing in sinks, bath tubs and buckets can provide endless entertainment indoors. But water play also provides an opportunity for scientific exploration and discovery. You can take the water play, mess and learning outdoors. An outdoor preschool water table is perfect for scientific observation of the physical characteristics of matter. It is an opportunity to learn first-hand about liquids and solids (without all of the indoor water mess).


The young scientist can experiment with different objects to determine which objects float and which objects sink in the water table. The children can make a game of predicting if they think an object will sink or float and then document their findings. The children can create drawings, charts or graphs to share with their fellow scientists.


When you mix water play and the outdoors, children gain a natural sense of the forces of nature by watching the effects of blowing wind on the water or increase in water temperature as the sun warms the water.


During mild weather, put ice cubes in the water table and allow the children to observe the change in physical properties from a solid to liquid. Try this on a sunny day, and then on a cloudy day, record how long it takes to melt. Is there a difference? Why? During the winter, fill the table with snow, what happens? Why?


Another experiment is to make predictions of what will happen when different substances (salt, sugar, flour, etc.) are mixed into the water. Like all good scientific exploration--predict, observe, discuss, and document.


Understanding the physical environment and communication of observations and discoveries are important elements of the science content areas of the states' Early Learning Standards. Take the Early Learning Standards outdoors with The Adventurous Child's Water Table and many other outdoor play products. http://www.adventurouschild.com/products.php

Learning Geography at the Art Easel

What is one of the favorite subject matters of young painters? The seasons and weather! Often times preschoolers are painting pictures of various weather scenes--sunshine, clouds, rain, snow, etc. Trees with colorful leaves falling in the autumn; snow falling in the winter, rain showers in the spring and flowers blooming in the summer are also popular themes. According to the states' Early Learning Standards, these drawings of seasonal changes represent an understanding of physical systems, or what we adults refer to as Geography. What makes an even better experience is if a child can be outside painting at the art easel, while experiencing the weather conditions with all of their senses--the warmth of the sun on the skin, the smell of the flowers, the sound of the birds singing, etc. these experiences all help to inspire and create a more authentic representation of seasonal changes. The Adventurous Child's Art Easel provides a wonderful opportunity for outdoor art creations.

See what else the children are learning when they use the art easel outdoors. http://www.adventurouschild.com/art-easel.php

Learning Geometry at the Art Easel

Who knew that the simple act of painting at the Art Easel prepares a child for learning math--in addition to Algebra (See Post 4/27/09) they are learning Geometry concepts. According to the state Early Learning Standards when children draw or paint a vertical and horizontal line, a cross or circles, squares, triangles and rectangles--they are learning the foundations of Geometry. So the typical young artist's picture of a house and sun are so much more...the circle in the sun, the triangle of the roof, the square of the windows and the rectangle of the house and door and the intersecting lines of the window panes are all Geometric shapes--Preschool Geometry.


See what else children learn when they play at the Art Easel. htttp://www.adventurouschild.com/art-easel.php