With the arrival of the warmer weather this week we have been enjoying outside water play.

This is something the children really enjoy, and it's an excellent opportunity for all round development.

Physically the children are given the chance to develop gross motor skills by scooping and pouring water and fine motor development comes from holding various containers strengthening their grip.

Socially the children are learning to share equipment and talk to each other and any adults present about what they are doing and what they can see.  Talking will also help develop vocabulary with the introduction of words such as pour and tip as well as onomatopoeic words such as splash.

 

The children are also able to develop their cognitive and problem-solving skills by exploring simple cause and effect by seeing what happens when you pour water through a water wheel.

 

And finally all round sensory development, feeling the temperature of the water, listening to the sounds the water makes and with the addition of bubble bath or citrus fruits potentially adding a scent.

Water play is a wonderful opportunity for children to learn and have fun at the same time.