Read this description of a play experience and then answer the questions that follow.
In this child care program, the children spend the morning at activity centres. All of the centres are open for the
children to use. One of the centres is the water table.
Sally, the early childhood educator, put a variety of materials in the water table to promote a certain concept, but
did not give the children any specific directions about what to do.
The children enjoy “make-believe” activities in the centre such as “cooking” with water toys. The children
manipulate the materials in many different ways, often using the various containers to measure and pour the
ingredients for their “cooking” projects. They compare the amount of water and how many containers it takes to
fill the big bucket. The children work together to create their final masterpiece - a chocolate cake for the other
children in the room.
When Sally joins the children, she observes their play and involves herself in the cooking process, becoming
one of the players. Sally invites the children to express their feelings and thoughts about the experience. She
encourages their creativity through open-ended questions and positive comments about their use of the water
play materials. She joins in the final celebration, pretending to eat the chocolate cake with the children.Provide examples of how the water activity facilitates the following areas of development:
Physical
Cognitive
Language
Social and Emotional
Creative