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Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain.
~Author Unknown
Take advantage of nature's "air conditioning." Ask families to bring old clothes and shoes for outdoor water exploration. Then plan a "field trip" to explore your area after a rain shower.
In Exploring Water with Young Children, authors Ingrid Chalufour and Karen Worth give suggestions for preparing for your field trip, activites while on the trip, and activities for after the trip.
While on your trip, help children notice properties of water that they can see, hear and feel. Ask questions such as:
- Where does the water go?
- Do you see drops of water anywhere?
- How does the water sound?
Follow your trip with questions such as:
- What did you like about the walk in the rain?
- What did you see? Hear? Smell?
You can extend children's thinking by inviting them to draw pictures about the trip. Add children's words to the picture when it is complete.
For more activities that combine water play and scientific thinking, check out Exploring Water With Young Children, published in 2005 by Redleaf Press. It is available in the APPLES Resource Library or at your favorite bookseller. |
