Our water pump continues to be a firm favourite when playing outside. Some children love to operate the pump in order to fill the trough, before releasing the wooden pegs to allow the water to flow down the channels and rocks.
Other children like to stand at the bottom and collect the water in a chosen pot.
We've also had a small area set up for washing dolls.
The children have enjoyed using a selection of resources such as; sponges, brushes and flannels to clean their dolls before wrapping them up carefully in a towel.
Some children then chose to carry their dolls around and play with them in other areas of the garden, often choosing the sandpit, before quickly returning to wash them again.
Indoors this week, our ice painting activity has been favoured by lot's of the children. Many have been inquisitive as to why we are painting blocks of ice, while others have displayed fascination when watching the ice melt as it is painted. The children have particularly enjoyed watching the different coloured paints mix together as they merge with the melting ice.
* This is a fun and easy activity that can also be carried out at home.
Simply, freeze several cups of water (white plastic party cups seem to work the best as the ice pops out very easily when held under hot water for a short time).
Once frozen, set up on a couple of kitchen trays along with 3/4 pots of different coloured paints and some paintbrushes and simply allow your child to explore.
This is a great opportunity to support your child's learning. An activity such as this can develop their Communication and Language. They may use simple sentences and begin to ask simple questions such as;
"My ice cold".
"Why is it cold?"
They may also start to question why things happen and give explanations.
"Why is the ice melting?"
"I made green paint with blue and yellow".
Such questions can spark many discussions with your child and help to extend their thinking and learning.
Enjoy :)