At Young Explorers we spend much of our Spring and Summer outside and engaged in many different water activities. On one of the first sunny and warm days of the season the children had a chance to experience some water play, something they have all been looking forward to! I set our Tuff Tray up, complete with water, lily pads, bathtime frogs, some natural materials from the yard, twigs, lemon balm, dandelions and some cups and scoops. The children were immediately drawn to the table as they poured water from one container to another, using the water toys to scoop and dump. The Young Explorers were hard at work... or should I say play, all the while learning many important skills. So much learning is happening in their waterplay!
Water play can help to develop fine motor skills. Pouring water into different containers can help children develop spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination, which are important skills for later academic success.
In addition to developing fine motor skills, water play can also have a positive impact on a child's emotional and social development. Playing in water can be a calming and soothing experience for many children, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. It can be especially beneficial for children with sensory processing issues, It can also be a useful tool for children with speech or language delays, as it provides a fun and interactive environment for practicing communication skills. I often set out a water activity with some lemon slices or lavender if a child is having a hard time. It is amazing how much the energy in the room changes and how calming water can be.
Playing in water requires children to use their bodies in different ways, from balancing and jumping to swimming and diving. This helps to develop gross motor skills and improves overall physical fitness.
Water play is a fun and engaging activity that can provide numerous benefits for children. There are so many different ways to incorporate water into daily play. Todays activity was just one of many that the children will get to experience at Young Explorers , learning through play that helps promote their physical, emotional, and social development!. I look forward to creating many more opportunities for play with water!
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