Resources

Children explore the structure and properties of water with objects and containers.

Encourage STEM learning while on a walk

Encourage STEM learning while grocery shopping

Encourage STEM learning while cooking

Encourage STEM learning during bathtime

Explore structure and properties of materials with various activities

Encourage your child to explore the properties of bath time materials and toys. Ask your child about the different characteristics of the objects such as the shape, size, and texture and help them recognize similarities and differences. Explore which objects can hold water.

Encourage your child join you in a simple cooking activity like making pudding, cookies, pancakes, or something else your child likes. Point out characteristics of the ingredients and utensils. Talk about how they are the same and different.

Take a walk with your child in the neighborhood or park. Ask your child about the things they see, smell, touch, and/hear on your walk. Point out the differences and similarities in the attributes and characteristics of the things you notice.

At the store, help your child participate during grocery shopping by using a picture shopping list or chart of favorite foods. Label items in the store and help the child recognize their properties and what makes them the same and different (e.g., color, size, taste, texture, category; use of the item).

Children explore blocks and other materials to build a bridge.

Children explore water.

Children learn about properties of water and use non-standard measuring tools to investigate water and how it’s affected by its container.

Children will investigate how water flows down and use simple objects to redirect the path of water flowing down.

Children will explore the properties of a given material through play.

Children will investigate which materials are best used as paint brushes, given the properties of those materials.

Children will find objects in the environment based on descriptions of those objects. (Note: This investigation can be done outside such as during outdoor play or on a buggy/wagon walk, outside, or inside.)

Children will demonstrate recognition of properties of materials by finding a hidden object that matches an example object.