Experiment with Splashy Science

Summer’s in full swing and the temperature is creeping ever higher. Sure, everyone’s sweaty, but you can turn the heat to your advantage. Fill up the kiddie pool, gather a stash of preschool science equipment, and get ready to introduce your child to the power of hypothesis.

Science equipment? Hypothesis? Before you worry we’re losing our minds, take a deep breath. We’re not talking about beekers and goggles here. The only science equipment a preschooler needs for a little exploration is a pile of Tupperware, spoons, cups and various other containers snagged from your kitchen. And “hypothesis” is just a fancy word for scientific guess.

What You Need:
Consider the many types of containers that you already have in your home that would make interesting tools of investigation for capacity. Avoid anything that is potentially breakable, sharp, or has not been thoroughly cleaned. You can use:

• Yogurt containers
• Paper cups
• Small pitchers
• Kitchen measuring cups
• Spoons
• Plastic bowls of different sizes
• Empty milk or juice containers
• Old shampoo bottles

What to Do:
Kids naturally enjoy experimenting with water and need little encouragement to splash about.  Put the containers near the kiddie pool and sit back for a few minutes, as your child takes a gander. Allow plenty of time for independent discovery.

Casually join in the play and ask questions related to the containers and their volume, as you fill and dump out water. Bring in simple related terms such as more, less, and equal.