PREPARATION TIME: 5 minutes | AGE: 2 - 3 years old
MATERIALS:
Plastic water bottle
Craft knife with a small blade
Small screwdriver
Water
INSTRUCTIONS:
Take the plastic water bottle and use the craft knife to create a few small holes in a circle near the bottom of the bottle.
Enlarge the holes by gently pushing the small screwdriver through them.
Fill the bottle with water.
Invite the child to try an experiment - when they remove the bottle cap, water will start flowing out through the holes. But when they close the cap, the water won't come out anymore.
Another method is to squeeze the bottle to make the water squirt out.
DEVELOPMENT AREAS:
FINE MOTOR SKILLS: Manipulating the water bottle helps develop and refine the child's hand-eye coordination and fine motor control.
PROBLEM-SOLVING AND CRITICAL THINKING: The child will engage in the process of figuring out how the holes and water flow are connected, encouraging them to think critically and solve simple problems.
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY: The activity allows the child to explore cause and effect relationships, understanding that opening and closing the bottle cap affect water flow, introducing basic principles of science.
SENSORY EXPLORATION: The child will experience the sensation of water flowing and the tactile sensation of manipulating the bottle, enhancing their sensory awareness.
PATIENCE AND PERSISTENCE: As the child experiments with the bottle and observes the outcomes, they learn patience and persistence in achieving their desired results.
HAND STRENGTH: Squeezing the bottle to squirt water requires hand strength, which can help develop the child's hand muscles.
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS: This activity involving a plastic water bottle can also be an opportunity to talk about recycling and the importance of taking care of the environment.
