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Frozen Friday
As part of 'Frozen Friday' at BestStart Hillcrest, we had lots of things for the children to explore. The tamariki took an interest in the ice. They spent a long amount of time watching the ice and waiting for it to melt so they could get the animals out, that was in the ice. Our tamariki were having lots of conversations with their friends about what was happening to the ice and about how there were holes in the middle of the ice blocks. We talked about how when the ice was made all the water didn't freeze so when we got it out of the freezer the water that didn't freeze, we poured out leaving holes in the ice.
Ice is a great way for children to investigate early science, they can have a beginning understanding that liquid can be water and a solid. During this time the children are also being inquisitive about texture (slippery) and temperature as well as observations of what the block of ice looks like as it melts and changes.
Children are engaged in science whenever they are learning about the world around them. This sort of play allows children to develop a perception of themselves as ‘explorers’ – competent, confident learners who ask questions and make discoveries.
Te Whāriki Science and nature play supports learning across all strands of Te Whāriki. It supports the Exploration strand, where children learn strategies for active exploration, thinking, and reasoning and develop working theories for making sense of the natural, social, physical, and material worlds.