Splashy Sponges
Ages: 18 months- 5 years
Get Ready: Collect some clean sponges of all shapes, sizes and textures.
Get Set: This can be done inside in the sink or bathtub or outside in a bowl or dishpan always with adult supervision. Provide water in the container of choice and offer your child the sponges.
Sit Back and Watch Your Child Go: Your child will explore the sponges by feeling, squeezing, twisting, Your child will strengthen the muscles in her fingers and hands as she manipulates the sponges. She will recognize differences in the sponges as some might be easier to squeeze than others. She will learn cause and effect as the sponges absorb water and then can be squeezed out.
Want to amp up the learning? Increase your child’s vocabulary by introducing the word, “wring” as she squeezes the water out. “You are wringing the water out!” Talk about textures, sizes and shapes of the sponges.
Get Creative: Provide 2 containers. Fill one container 1/2 full of water, measuring the amount by number of cups. Write the number of cups on a piece of paper. Have your child soak the sponge in the water and carry it to the other container. Wring the water out of the sponge into the 2nd container. Continue until the 1st container is empty. Measure the water in the 2nd container. Record your findings. Is the number of cups the same? Why or why not? Which number is more; which is less? Your child is learning measurement & cause and effect, science & math concepts!
As your child grows: allow your child to experiment with other forms of measurement using measuring cups & spoons, rulers, & yardsticks.
Your child will love: playing in water & using her small muscles to squeeze and manipulate the sponges.
You will love: watching her excitement as she realizes she can make water move as the sponges fill up and expand and then it is released by the touch of her fingers!
