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Exploration with water and ice
What better way to cool down on these hot summer days than exploring ice. Ice World is a sensory activity for toddlers
Here tamariki were invited to play with and try to melt the ice.
They were provided with both warm and cold water and droppers. This led to some great korero as tamariki refined their working
theories about what was happening in front of them. Sensory play opens the opportunity to talk about and use describing words to communicate what is being experienced.
How the ice felt on our hands, cold, freezing cold, if we leave our hands on it for too long it hurts because it is too cold. The ice also felt slippery, smooth and looked clear and see-through. We joked about how it would feel if we were to have a bath in it. As well as mana aotūroa (exploration) this activity also allowed tamariki to further develop their mana reo (communication) as they shared with each other how the ice felt and what they could see happening.
We also celebrated the return of our children to the centre as well made the most of Summer by having a 'Splish Splash Day', we set up different water activities like paddling pools, water slides, sprinklers, water troughs, trays, etc. We also had water guns to add more fun. All our children and Kaiako came in their swimming togs and sun hats. The weather was in our favor too as it was a hot and sunny day. Children had lots of fun splashing in the water and sliding on the slide. They couldn't miss the chance to splash water on their kaiako and sprinkle them with water guns. It was such a busy morning playing with water and enjoying with friends and kaiako. We can't wait to have more fun-filled celebrations in the upcoming days.
Te whariki: Exploration- Mana Aoturoa: Over time and with guidance and encouragement, children become increasingly capable of playing, imagining, inventing and experimenting (te whakaaro me te tuhurahura i te putaiao). Moving confidently and challenging themselves physically (te wero a-tinana)