Mini School Vol. 001

Written and Photographed by Jaslynn Oong

During the early years, toddlers need opportunities that help them in developing cognitive, physical, social, emotional and creative domains. Play, especially water, is a vital part in fostering these learning opportunities and holistic development of children. 

"Sea Animals Rescue" is one of the water play activity that you and your child would probably love it so much. The ice freezing and melting processes will get your child entertained and engaged in a longer time. 

3 Ways to Set Up "Sea Animals Rescue" Play Tray

STEP 1: PREPARE THE MATERIALS NEEDED

Prepare the materials needed such as a play tray (appropriate size that can place in the freezer), blue food colouring, and ocean themed props such as fishes, star fish, turtles and more. 

STEP 2: GET YOUR CHILD INVOLVE

Invite your child to place all the ocean themed props in the play tray. Pour the water in the play tray and add a few droplets of food colouring in. 

STEP 3: FREEZE OVERNIGHT

Place the play tray into the freezer and freeze overnight. 

Don’t be amazed, your child will most probably taking a trip to the kitchen gazillion times a day just to check on his “product” in the fridge. The next day, your child will probably wake you up by telling you excitedly "Mummy, Mummy, our ice is ready!". 

IT'S TIME TO PLAY!

You can provide warm water, spray bottles, tweezers, tongs or either salt for your child to melt the water and rescue the sea animals. 

Questions to Ask During Play

During the activity, you will witness how your child express themselves through their words and facial expressions.
  • How do ice cubes feel to the touch? It is cold, wet, slippery or hard?
  • What makes ice melt?
  • What other materials that you can try to use to melt the ice?
  • Is it hard to stack the ice?
  • What eventually happens to your ice?

Your child will probably answer you "Cold!" when their little palms touch the ice, or "Spiky!" when they leave their hands on the ice for too long. Either way, these learning moments are just undeniably beautiful.

Benefits of Ice Melting Activity

Ice melting activity provides the opportunity for toddlers to develop fine and gross motor skills. Actions like pouring the water, squirting and scooping are all important movements that lead to increased fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Introducing toddlers to new water-related textures such as slippery, spiky and temperature is an amazing sensory experience for them. 

The activity also provide opportunities for toddlers to explore language by hearing, using and copying descriptive words such as scooping, pouring, melting, thus they are developing their language development.

It also encourages their imagination and creativity in thinking and exploring, work out problems, experiment and find solutions.

I hope your little one enjoys this activity as much as we did! Please share your favorite moment with us on louloujames.official if you have try "Sea Animal Rescue" activity at home.

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