| There are so many things your baby or toddler can | | | | skills |
| learn through water play. And it is so easy, no need | | | | - fill up different-size containers with water to |
| to spend lots of money on toys and they'll be playing | | | | different levels and pour the water out into other |
| for hours. | | | | containers through funnels. I would often use glass |
| Some useful things you might need are | | | | jars of different sizes and put them inside large pots |
| - different size pots and pans OR/AND | | | | so that water wouldn't spill all over the table when |
| - tubs you use for hand washing clothes | | | | my son was pouring it out. IF YOU ARE USING |
| - containers of different size and shape | | | | GLASS JARS TAKE GREAT CARE AND NEVER |
| - funnels | | | | LEAVE THE CHILD AT THE TABLE UNATTENDED! |
| - scoops (use big plastic serving spoons. in fact, many | | | | - take 2 large pots, leave one empty and fill the |
| kitchen utensils often come handy in child's play) | | | | other one with water. place several smaller plastic |
| - wine corks (they float and the collecting process | | | | containers or glass jars inside the empty pot. The |
| can be quite enjoyable for the parents) | | | | child can either use a small plastic container, a scoop, |
| - plastic syringe, small water pistol or an empty | | | | a serving spoon or even a syringe to fill the empty |
| shampoo bottle | | | | jars and containers with the water from the large |
| - food coloring liquids of different colors (you can buy | | | | pot. |
| them in a baking section of your supermarket) | | | | - add some color to the water with food coloring and |
| - tongs (try to find ones covered with plastic or | | | | learn colors while you are playing. They will also be |
| rubber as the metal ones can be quite sharp) | | | | learning how fun and interesting it is to mix colors. |
| Obviously, water will be splashed, otherwise it | | | | Stick to only a few colors and try to select primary |
| wouldn't be so much fun! So, choose the area of play | | | | colors such as Green, Red and Blue. Kids get |
| carefully. When my son was a baby we did this sort | | | | confused very easily if you try to teach them too |
| of play either on our balcony on hot days or in the | | | | many colors at the same time. |
| bath tub. No need to fill the bath with water, just | | | | What we are learning: volumes, concept of empty |
| place all the playing materials into the tub, strip to a | | | | full, colors, color mixing. |
| nappy and a t-shirt and play away. You can even | | | | Imaginative play |
| climb into the bathtub with your little one if the tub is | | | | - one of my son's favorite games during bath time |
| big enough, try it, it's fun! | | | | was "Rescue". We would use small dolls, rubber |
| Once my son got a little older we would play with | | | | animals and toy soldiers and if they fell into the water |
| water using large pots and containers placed on a | | | | we would Rescue them by putting them back safely |
| table and I would just cover the floor under the table | | | | into the toy boats and ships.other things you can do |
| with a large plastic tablecloth. | | | | pretend playing with water: |
| Some of the things you can do (please don't limit | | | | - play "fishing" in the tub (make a fishing rod out of a |
| yourself to any lists, use your imagination) | | | | small and smooth tree branch, thick knitting needle or |
| - "fish out" wine corks (or other floating objects) | | | | even a pencil and some rope) |
| with a scoop, tongs or just fingers | | | | - giving dolls a bath, washing their hair |
| - try counting them out loud when you place them | | | | - washing the dishes |
| into a container | | | | - etc. imitate anything that mum does around the |
| - fill up and squirt water with a plastic syringe, try | | | | house or help mum for real. you can give the child a |
| aiming at some light objects that could fall when you | | | | clean sponge or a mop with a short handle. |
| get them, like toy soldiers or cars (or even those | | | | - in the bath pretend it's raining while you pour water |
| useful wine corks) | | | | through a strainer |
| What's developing and improving: hand-eye | | | | So go on, start splashing - water can be fun all year |
| coordination, muscle tone, fine motor skills, counting | | | | around! |