My child drew on a paper towel, first with washable markers and then with permanent Sharpie. Then he put the paper towel in a bowl of water to see what happens. The washable marker colored the water, the Sharpie did not.

Science

• The child learned that the washable marker colors can be dissolved in water, leading to the coloring of the water.
• The child discovered that permanent markers, such as Sharpie, do not dissolve in water and therefore do not color the water.
• The child observed how different types of markers interact with water, demonstrating the concept of solubility.
• This activity also introduced the concept of properties of materials, such as the difference between washable and permanent markers.

Encourage the child to explore other materials that can dissolve or not dissolve in water and observe the differences. This could involve using various household items and predicting their behavior in water. Additionally, the child can experiment with different solvents, such as rubbing alcohol, to see how materials behave in different liquids.

Book Recommendations

• Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen: A delightful story that introduces the concepts of buoyancy and sinking, perfect for young readers.
• What Floats in a Moat? by Lynne Berry: This interactive book engages children in predicting which objects will sink or float, encouraging scientific thinking.
• What Will Float? by T.S. Spookytooth: An engaging book that introduces the concept of buoyancy and encourages kids to experiment with floating objects.