We thrive on structure and routine. Sometimes it doesn't always happen, but on days like today when we forgo that trip to the store for hot dog buns and just cut those (organic, of course!) hot dogs on the plate, structure is possible. After nap, the transition can be hard for everyone. Mommy might still be working on something, and the little ones might still be a bit sleepy. Filling the kitchen table with fun activities, usually eases the transition.
Here's what our table looked like today:
Our activities were very simple, but I pulled out an old favorite of mine: putting rocks in water and observing the change. I could have used the science journal that we keep to make it even more meaningful, but I was on a mission to finish a project today, so the girls were on their own to rock and roll. It's a self-guided lesson for the most part. The only instruction that I gave was to observe the rock before and after it was wet and to see if she (Ana) noticed any differences.
When Addie woke up, she joined right in. I only had to move the rocks and add a towel, and she loved it.
After they had been playing for a while, Ana announced, to my delight, that she would now have a rock collection. I wanted to encourage her in her science interest as much as possible, so I provided her with a lovely purple box (What luck! I had the color she wanted!), and now the rock collection resides in her room. She checked on the rock collection before dinner, and then she even prayed for the rock collection. Maybe tomorrow we will draw the rock collection in her science journal. Some of the rocks are fossils too, so we could even try rubbings. The possibilities to extend the learning are endless!
While all of this rock play was going on, I made three magazine and sketchbook holders from recycled cereal and cracker boxes, and I organized the arts and crafts cupboard and still was right there to interact with the girls, ask questions, and answer questions too!
Tags: rock, rocks, water, observe, science, nature, activity, preschool, toddler
My son has the very same animal block puzzle in the picture of your table. I think I play with it more than he does!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely lesson on encouraging your children to learn and explore- thanks for sharing! I remember having a rock collection when I was little. I still do, actually :).
Oh I guess I'm just a big kid!
It's not bad at all to be a kid at heart! I think our kids learn more from us when we act like them sometimes. Plus, I have to admit, I did get to check out that rock collection today, and she did pick some great ones! It's fun!
DeleteI used to spend hours doing this as a child too, great idea to see the changes in water. Hope they had fun collecting them too.
ReplyDeleteMy brother and I collected most of these when we were kids at my uncle's farm in Tennessee, but now that my three-year-old has a growing interest in rocks, there will be much collecting in our future. She's already collected gravel from my mom's driveway for her collection! LOL
DeleteLove it! We are always picking up rocks from our adventures. Now I have an idea of how to use them. I would love for you to add this to my weekly Mom's Library Weekly Link-Up.
ReplyDeletehttp://heymommychocolatemilk.blogspot.com/2012/10/moms-library-link-up-3-for-me.html
Thanks and Be Blessed,
Julie
Any activity that involves water is an instant winner in my house!
DeleteI love it! My daughter has a rock collection she started and has added to it over the years (she's now 9). And I'm very much like you -- just love encouraging science exploration in kids. We checked out an easy read rock book from the library (DK was the publisher and it had huge color photos) and then matched up the rocks to the photos. The book also gave some common examples of how rocks are used, so she'll now look at something like a countertop and tell me about the rock that made it :) love learning! Great post!!
ReplyDeleteThanks! It's been about a week, and she is still carrying that rock collection around (and I'm thrilled!) I need to get that rock book out of the library to extend the learning especially since at least two of the rocks are easy to identify. (quartz) Thanks for the tip!
DeleteAt a camp i went to with my son, they showed us how to test for Mica in rocks. You just need Hydrogen Peroxide.just pour a couple of drops of it on your rock and if it bubbles the rock has Mica in it. Mica isn't good for rocks because over time it will mess with the construction of the rock.
DeleteSounds like a great day and what a great way to organize! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!!
ReplyDeleteThanks! The cereal box organizers are working out much better than just stacking everything up!
DeleteGreat idea for a simple science activity and way to encourage exploration! And it's wonderful that you got some organizing done at the same time! I featured your post at the Living Montessori Now Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/LivingMontessoriNow
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