The color mixing lab is one of the children's favorite outdoor activities. We fill several different types of containers with primary colored water (red, blue, and yellow) and set out empty containers, spoons, scoops, cups, and medicine dispensers. The nature of the activity allows for many possibilities and levels of play depending on developmental abilities and interests.
A few of the older girls stayed at the table for much longer than the younger children, testing out different color mixtures. They also noticed there were numbers on the medicine dispensers. "Mine goes to 5." "Mine goes to 10!" A teacher-facilitated discussion began about measurement and soon the girls were comparing amounts of liquid and using a new word, "milliliters."
So much can be learned through play, as shown beautifully through this activity. Sensory exploration, fine motor practice, color identification, prediction, experimentation, and measurement to only name a few!
So much can be learned through play, as shown beautifully through this activity. Sensory exploration, fine motor practice, color identification, prediction, experimentation, and measurement to only name a few!