This term at Cashmore Early Years Centre, children in Hippo and Giraffe Groups have been enjoying a rich range of water play experiences, building confidence, coordination, and curiosity through hands on exploration.
During group time, children have been using pipettes and small bottles to practise filling and emptying. Squeezing the pipettes has supported the development of fine motor skills, helping to strengthen the small muscles in their hands that are important for early writing. The addition of rubber ducks, frogs, and sponges has encouraged imaginative play and sparked conversations about floating, sinking, and how different objects behave in water. Alongside this, children have been learning how to play safely with water, developing awareness of boundaries and care for themselves and others.
Music and movement have also been part of our water play. Children have been singing 5 Little Ducks and using guttering and rubber ducks to bring the song to life. Each child has taken a turn to pour water down the gutter, watching the ducks slide along. This playful activity has supported early counting skills, turn taking, and coordination, while also building confidence to join in with familiar songs.
Story time has linked closely to our theme, with children enjoying Mr Gumpy’s Outing by John Burningham and Duck in the Truck by Jez Alborough. These stories have introduced different farm animals and their sounds, while also helping children to notice how water appears within stories. Children have been joining in with repeated phrases, recognising characters, and making connections between the stories and their own play experiences.
It has been a joyful term of exploration, with water play providing many opportunities for children to develop communication, physical skills, and a growing understanding of the world around them.
