Teddy's Wash Day

We are taking care of Barney, the pre school bear, this week.  This morning we decided that Barney's clothes needed washing so we headed out to the garden to wash his things.

Warm water and soap solution are all we needed.  Both children had fun scrubbing his clothes.

And then wringing them out.

Then they realised they could use the clothes like sponges to transport water from the water tray to a watering can a few metres away.

Then to throw water across the garden.

Then they hung them out to dry in the sun.

Barney just sat and watched!

This is something I remember doing as a child.  Washing dolls clothes in the garden.  Water play and role play combined.
We are recording all the things we do with Barney to write into his book of adventures.  Boy only has two weeks left at nursery before he leaves for good to go on to primary school so he's very keen to give Barney a great time.  So far he's been shopping, played mini golf and helped to build some shelves with Daddy.

Cleaning and Brushing

Boy was feeling a little off colour earlier this week and had a little nap during the afternoon.  Girl and I went to play outside to give him some peace and quiet.  Girl loves playing with water and it isn't so often that we get to play just the two of us so it was a nice opportunity to let her do her own thing instead of being led by her brother's play, which is often what happens.

She began by just playing with the squeezy bottles and a couple of bowls and jugs.  I put some washing up liquid into the water and she smiled and said 'bubble.'  I brought out a scrubbing brush and a dish brush for her to play with and the play quickly became based around cleaning and brushing different parts of the garden.

First the steps.  She walked over saying 'dep, dep.'  She poured water onto the step and then used the brush to clean it.  It put me in mind of my grandmother's era when housewives would scrub their doorsteps regularly in this way.

Then she turned her attention to the paving on the patio.

Then she found the yard brush and began using this, although I think she found it too tricky because she quickly moved back to the scrubbing brush.

Then she removed her sandals and began washing her feet.  Not with the brushes this time though!

She had a great time and was very upset when she had to come in for dinner.  Simple household items can be the best toys.  All she used were old washing up liquid bottles, a mixing bowl, plastic measuring jug and some cleaning brushes.

Water Balloons

On a warm summer's day what could be better than playing and splashing with water.  We went for water balloons!

We are lucky enough to have an outside tap so we fill them up there and then we have one or two rules.
1. Keep only to the driveway area.
2. Don't throw them at people who ask you not to.
3. Pick up all the bits of balloons afterwards.
Other than that anything goes!

So what are we getting out of this?  Firstly, it's great fun and the children just love it, especially Boy who begs to do this any day it isn't raining!  More than that the children are learning loads through doing this.  They are furthering their personal, social and emotional development by successfully taking turns and waiting until 'their' balloon is filled.  Even Girl is managing this at 20 months old.  They are also able to follow some simple rules about how we play together and they do this very successfully, understanding why those rules are in place.

Boy is learning about and interested in the physics of speed and impact.  I asked him 'why does the water make this shape on the ground?'  He replied 'it smashes the balloon when it hits the ground and it goes splat - the water comes out fast.'  Pretty accurate too!

Girl is also figuring out that you have to throw the balloon with some force to get it to burst.  Very often her's bounced on the ground so she kept picking it up and trying again - developing and perfecting her throwing skills and hand eye co-ordination.

There are probably loads of other things too but I've just highlighted a few to show that play encourages learning in such a natural and normal way that most of the time we don't notice it.  The children are having enormous fun and yet they are learning skills and picking up knowledge too.

A Watery Afternoon

After Girl had woken from her sleep earlier today I decided some outdoor play would be in order.  We had a busy morning grocery shopping and visiting the Drs and then I had been busy in the kitchen so Boy had to have some quiet time.  Outdoor play is usually the best antidote!

Boy requested water play so that's what we did.  I got the sand out too but there was no interest in that!  I put some washing-up liquid bottles, cups and a jug into the water along with some beautiful shells I picked up at The Range earlier in the week.  They had the funnels and water wheels which go with the water tray too.

Boy was delighted to find the shells resting on the bottom of the tray.

They played in the tray for quite some time.  Girl was particularly interested in trying to fill up the bottles and squirt the water out.  She squirted some onto the ground and then looked at it with great interest.  She touched the puddle and enjoyed the splash shape the water had made.  This led on to both children experimenting with taking the water to different parts of the garden.  Girl in particular was exploring how the water could be squeezed out and they way it flowed out.  She's learning some basic physics here by experimenting.

First into the sand.  Then the sunflowers and mini sensory garden.

Then to the salads, radishes and spring onions.

Boy said 'we're watering - it makes them get bigger, look!'  Then he picked a dandelion flower and brought it to the water.  Then he poured water on the top and said 'it's going to get bigger!'

I asked 'are you sure it will get bigger?'  'Yes!' he replied.  We decided to leave in in the garden overnight to see if it grows.  That way he can find out for himself what happens once a flower has been picked.

He's learning to test out his theories in a more structured way.  He's becoming a young scientist.
Then Boy decided to experiment with throwing the water.  First into the plants in the garden.

Then over the fence!  He laughed and jumped up and down as the water disappeared over the fence.  'It goes in big drops' he said observing how the water split off into droplets as it flew into the air.  Learning about the properties of a liquid!

We only had to finish this exploratory play when it was dinner time (and all the water had gone from the tray by then too!)  I find it fascinating just providing a few bits and pieces and seeing what the children will come up with.  They enjoy an open ended activity where they can explore at their own interest and developmental stage (they are 2 1/2 years apart in age.)  You don't need a water tray to do this.  Just use a washing up bowl and take it outside.

We linked this up to The Nurture Store Play Academy