Why Take the Lid Off the Water Table | National Association for the Education of Young Children

It’s 10 a.m. on Monday. Where is your water table? Is it out in the hall with the lid on top? Or is it a favorite classroom center where children measure, pour, talk, and explore the properties of water?

During water play children can

play cooperatively
explore with materials and props
talk with and learn from each other
use rich vocabulary
use and experience math terms (same, equal, more, less, empty, full, first, next)
engage in the scientific process—make predictions, test them, experiment, and make discoveries

Here are some tips for getting started.
1. Follow health and safety guidelines.

Teachers should

change the water daily (and as needed during the day)
add bleach or disinfecting solution according to state guidelines
guide children to a different center when they have open sores, cuts, rashes, or scabs on hands, wrists, or forearms
work with children to mop up spills

Children should

wash hands before and after play
wear waterproof smocks
keep water in the water table

2. Offer simple household items.
Be sure to offer several of each item.

pots
measuring cups
basters
sponges
hand mixers
sifters (for collecting small items) towels
gentle, nontoxic liquid soap

bowls
funnels
brushes
paint rollers
spray bottles
plastic containers with lids (poke holes in some of them so children can explore what happens)

3. Invite children to make decisions.
Ask questions and make comments to spark children’s curiosity and engagement.

I noticed that you . . .
I wonder what would happen if . . . ?
How did/could you . . . ?

What's similar/different about these?
Why do you think this works?

4. Offer new ways to explore.

Drain the water and refill with

snow (provide gloves and spray bottles with colored water)
ice (have gloves available)
ice cubes (add interesting objects to the water before freezing )
natural materials, such as leaves, twigs, rocks, pebbles, pinecones, acorns, sunflower seeds

Add props to inspire dramatic play:

sea creatures
fruits and vegetables
baby dolls
small fishnets
building blocks
toy boats
safety mirrors

TEACHING YOUNG CHILDREN VOL 1 NO 3

Teaching Young Children
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