Objective
By the end of this lesson, the toddler will be able to engage in physical activity while playing with water, improving their gross motor skills and coordination.
Materials and Prep
- Bucket or basin filled with water
- Water toys (e.g., cups, spoons, small containers)
- Waterproof apron or old clothes
- Towel for drying off
Make sure the play area is safe and free from any hazards. Set up the water play area in an easily accessible location.
Activities
- Water Scooping: Provide the toddler with cups and small containers. Show them how to scoop water from the bucket and pour it into another container. Encourage them to transfer the water between different containers.
- Splash and Catch: Demonstrate how to make splashes in the water using hands or toys. Encourage the toddler to try catching the splashes with their hands. This activity helps improve hand-eye coordination.
- Water Balancing: Place a small floating toy in the water. Show the toddler how to use their hands or fingers to create waves and make the toy move. Encourage them to keep the toy balanced on the water's surface.
- Water Pouring: Provide different sizes of cups or containers. Show the toddler how to fill them with water from the bucket and pour the water back into the bucket. This activity helps develop fine motor skills.
Toddler Grade Talking Points
- "Water is fun to play with! Today, we are going to have so much fun playing with water."
- "We can scoop water from the bucket and pour it into different containers. Let's see how much water we can move!"
- "Look at the splashes we can make! Try to catch the splashes with your hands. Can you feel the water on your skin?"
- "Now, let's try balancing a toy on the water. We need to make gentle waves. Can you keep the toy floating?"
- "We can also pour water from one cup to another. It's like pouring a drink, but with water! Let's see how steady our hands can be."