Exploring the world of science with appropriate preschool activities not only opens a seemingly magical landscape of learning, it sparks the curiosity of young minds and lays the foundations of a lifelong love of learning. It also plays a huge role in introducing the basics of scientific understanding and critical thinking – plus, it’s a whole load of fun!

The following are some ways to easily integrate simple experiments that are suitable for kindergarten-age children.

6 Easy Scientific-Based Activities for Preschoolers

Learning about science is fascinating – and it’s so easy to incorporate activities in everyday life. They also make a wonderful springboard that leads to further conversations, allowing children to question and further direct the learning process in ways that pique their interest.

1. Make a lemon volcano

This easy experiment introduces the foundations of substance interaction. It also offers the chance to talk about geological phenomena and more broadly about the planet.

Items needed:

• 1 x bowl.
• Lemon juice.
• Baking soda.
• Conical (volcano-shaped) container.

Method:

• Mix the lemon juice and baking soda in a bowl.
• Pour into the volcano container.
• Watch as it foams and erupts from the ‘crater’.

2. Build a rain gauge

This isn’t just a fun activity - it also leads to talking about many vital subjects at an easy-to-understand level. Recycling, climate change and responsible water use are just some of the pathways that conversations about this experiment may follow.

Items needed:

• 1 clear container – repurposing a plastic or clear glass bottle is ideal.
• 1 x ruler.

Method:

• Fix the ruler to the plastic container.
• Place outside in a non-sheltered.
• Measure the level of water collected after it rains.

3. Magic milk

The use of colour is always an attention-grabber, especially for curious young minds. This fun activity also introduces the subject of surface tension, allowing caregivers the opportunity to talk about other fascinating subjects, such as how water boatmen and other bugs can seemingly walk on water.

Items needed:

• 1 x shallow dish.
• Some milk.
• Some washing up liquid.
• Food colouring.

Method:

• Put the milk into the dish.
• Add a couple of drops of food colouring (1 or 2 different colours).
• Add a drop of washing up liquid.
• Marvel as the colours mix and swirl.

 

4. The egg bobbing experiment

Adding salt to water changes its density. This easy experiment comes across as pretty magical to children – and can lead to other conversations about how combining substances can alter the properties and create something different.

Items needed:

• 2 x clear glasses.
• Water.
• 2 x eggs.
• Salt.

Method:

• Place the water in the 2 glasses.
• Add salt to 1 glass and stir to mix.
• Place an egg in each glass.
• Note how the egg in the glass without water sinks, yet the one in the saltwater glass floats.

5. Magical magnetism

Magnets are a source of wonder for the young mind. This simple experiment opens up infinite discussion possibilities, plus includes other important understandings about how different elements feel and look, as well as how they react to the magnet.

Items needed:

• A magnet.
• A range of objects made from different materials, to include different types of metals, as well as others, such as wood, plastic, fibre etc.

Method:

• Use the magnet to determine which types of materials are attracted to it.
• Let the child/children handle the objects themselves, so they can feel the pull when certain metals are brought close.

6. Float or sink?

This is an easy and fun way to introduce the subject of density. It’s also hugely interactive as the child or children get to guess or work out which items will float, and which will sink, before they put them in the water.

Items needed:

• A body of water. This could be a tank, washing up bowl, bath, sink or anything else available. You could also do this on a nature walk when you pass a pond or from a bridge over a river (using only natural items, of course).
• A variety of items, such as a stone, piece of wood, feather, fabric, toys, food items etc.

Method:

• Get the child/children to predict whether the item will float or sink before it’s dropped into the water.

These are just some examples of how introducing science basics into activities isn’t only fascinating, but also introduces the importance of questioning, learning and discovery. At Evoke Early Learning, such play-based education is key, with age-appropriate activities playing a key role included within our carefully crafted curriculum.

This, combined with our childcare philosophy of the child being powerful, capable and full of curiosity are just some of the reasons parents and caregivers entrust their most precious family members to our care. Book a tour or get in touch to find out more.

Discover more about our values and contact our team for a chat today.

Sensory play is one of the most effective ways parents, caregivers and early childhood educators can aid brain development in young children. These crucial formative years are a time of incredible change, with thousands of neurons – the brain’s informational channels – being created each day.

Exposing little ones to multiple sensory experiences each day is key – and the following looks at 8 excellent methods of doing so.

8 Great Sensory Activities

The key to helping young children form neural pathways is all about stimulating the five main senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. The below-mentioned activities boost multiple senses, plus they also help development in other vital areas, such as:

• Language and communication skills: It encourages verbal interaction and conversation, as well as the art of questioning and further learning.
• Social skills: Enjoying sensory play with others is a great way to stimulate positive social interactions.
• Developing motor skills: Both gross and fine motor skills are learned through simple acts of touching, holding, moving and even tasting objects.
• Independent play: The very actions of such activities help lay the foundations upon which independent play and actions are built.
• Problem solving: Many sensory activities, such as messy play and open-ended tasks, create minor challenges that children need to overcome. This is a very important first step towards developing key critical thinking skills.

The following sensory play ideas are easy to implement, stimulate multiple senses and are a great deal of fun.

1. Making mud pies: Messy play at its finest, making mud pies hones the sense of touch, visual stimuli and even hearing as little ones pour water into the gloop and enjoy the sound of mud squishing through their fingers.
2. Food tasting: Trying a range of different items as a game not only stimulates taste, but touch, sight and smell too. It’s also a great way to foster an adventurous approach to food, as well as helping children learn which tastes they prefer.
3. Sensory bins: Fill containers with different items (cotton wool, rice, sand, dry leaves, small pebbles etc) and let your little ones look, feel and smell the difference between them. You can even play this game blindfolded for an alternative that concentrates on senses other than vision.
4. Bubbles! Who doesn’t love bubbles…? Small or large, they’re a great way to stimulate vision – as well as touch when little ones try to grab and burst them.
5. Sandpit play: Whether it’s a large, custom-made sandpit or a smaller box just for the hands or feet, playing with sand is a great way to stimulate touch and vision. Add some water into the mix to add an extra dimension as to how this alters the way sand feels and handles.
6. The wonders of Mother Nature: Going on a nature walk is always a hit and offers so many options for sensory stimulation. From feeling the wind on your skin to seeing different colours, tasting the tang of salt (if you’re close to the ocean), the different smells or tasting fruits that you might find along the way.
7. Finger painting: Hugely popular and incredibly fun, finger painting stimulates touch and vision (and has the added element of getting really, really messy, something kids of all ages enjoy).
8. Music time: Banging on drums, blowing on instruments, listening to wind chimes, plucking a guitar string… Add in some movement or dance and the whole activity means vision, sound and touch all get a healthy dose of stimulation.

Sensory play is given the utmost priority at Evoke Early Learning centres. Our custom-built facilities at both our Albert Park and Clayton locations have indoor and outdoor areas tailor-designed for teacher-led and independent play.

Book a tour to see us in action or contact our friendly team today to find out more.