This week during our hour of Young Scientists at Play I created a concoctions lab, enlisting the help of one of my twins:
I made up a tray full of bits and pieces from the kitchen:
And then we let the fun begin! We are always as hands off as possible during preschool science. This is chiefly exploratory time for them and as such I have NO end result in mind. This is one of the most freeing ways to home school, yet the children are still learning loads:
B2 is by far my hardest baby to keep content. She is unsettled ALOT of the time. Yet for one hour a week she is peaceful, absorbed, with no expectations hampering her learning. This has fed some rather exciting ideas for an hour activity each day, with open-ended learning for my pre-schoolers. I’ll share in the future, if they prove successful.
I had one last activity for my little ones, to reinforce what they had learnt the week before. A4 was very excited. She is such a pleasure to teach, lapping up anything and everything I do with her. Such a privilege to home-school! This time I filled them a small tray each, full of bicarb. I filled up a couple of trays of test tubes with vinegar which I coloured lots of different colours:
The goal was for them to pipette different colours of vinegars onto the bicarb, not just to see the fizzy reaction, but to notice the mixing of colours:
This one hour of science play has helped open my eyes to see potential in B2, a peek into her way of learning, into the activities which interest her. I think it has been one of the most successful ideas I have ever implemented in our school. Long may it last!
I like the coloured vinegar and bicarb activity. My four year old would love this-must set it up for him!
The whole preschool science is such a hit in our house, and apart from clearing up afterwards I do nothing for the whole hour- it is THAT absorbing for them!
I remember doing very similar activities with Tiger when he was preschool age. He couldn’t get enough of concoctions and mixtures. Tiger was very like B2 at that age! He just wanted to put everything together and see what they do. A4 is indeed a very methodical learner. It’s all very good to see. 🙂
It is so interesting watching their little personalities develop and having the freedom to change my teaching methods to suit everyone in our little school. Thanks for popping by Hwee!
LOVE it! Such fun! I am going to try the Bicarb and Vinegar with my little guy!
The great thing is there is practically no risk of harm so we can be entirely hands off, which once in while feels good. Allowing B2 to simply investigate. It’s priceless!
oooooooo what a fantastic day its going to be here Wednesday..(or should I say messy) I’ll be at the grocery store if anyone needs me! We have the bins and most ‘ingredients’ but i have some disgusting ideas! i did this as a child at my grandmothers for HOURS EVERYDAY literally! i LOVED concoction potions i used to make–thank u 4 assisting me in continuing to think like my childhood self! BEST! mind if i reblog???
No problem! Enjoy Wednesday!!
The tiny people in the giant lab coats and goggles are just killing me! What a great idea. Love the exploration you set up too!
I know! I take WAAAAY too many photos ‘cos they are so darned cute! We are so enjoying preschool science!
I really need to sit down and figure out my plan for our potion making in a week or so……. It’s coming up fast.
These are so simple to put together and require so little effort or thought you’ll have no problem. What child doesn’t like making a mess ‘legally’?- it’s a winner from the start!!
We, also, will have to try the Vinegar/Baking Soda activity! Looked like a lot of fun.
Simple, cheap and lots of mess! What’s not to like? (Well, apart from the mess….!)
I love how you have put the lesson plan together, makes learning so fun for them.
This is definitely the highlight of their week!
I love your bicarb idea, claire. I bet most children of various ages would enjoy it.
My older ones keep commenting they wish they were young again!!
Love your little scientist, she looks a natural!
Thanks Fiona!
This is seriously awesome. I loved the colored vinegar on baking soda idea. Thanks for sharing this!
It’s my pleasure, Caroline. Thanks for popping by!
I need to do more sciemce with my littlies. They know lots of theory, but we haven’t done much experimenting yet. We’re starting with gardening, and have discovered they joys of sloppy mud and wiggly worms, and this week we mixed food coloring. You’re given me some ideas for science with wee’uns.
Well there’s little better than sloppy mud and wiggly worms!!
The photos say it all. I love the serious and satisfied looks on their faces.
I know! This has to be my favourite time of the week. The looks of sheer wonder and pleasure. Priceless!
What a cute group of scientists you’ve got! What a fun, playful idea – love it =)
Thanks for linking up to TGIF! I hope to see you linked up again later today,
Beth =)
I agree! I post waaaay too many photos, but I can’t help myself!
Fantastic, and i love the goggles! I must get some.
Thanks for linking to Science Sparks x
Thank you! They love the goggles as well, and they do make the whole science lesson much more official!