In the toddler room at RisingOaks Early Learning | John Sweeney the toddlers have been involved in learning about space. The toddlers have been busy dressing up as astronauts; wearing space suits, boots, special gloves, and space helmets. We learned that astronauts are a special type of scientist and they wear specific gear to keep them safe in space. The suit is used to keep them warm, the gloves allow them to pick up special space rocks, the boots protect their feet and the helmets provide oxygen. While watching a video of a spaceship launch Myles noticed that we needed a way to get to space so we created a special jet pack and a spaceship using a large cardboard box, different buttons and levers were added for the toddlers to use to control the spaceship. They have become a very good team of Mission Control, counting backwards from 5 until they reach 1 to then shouting “blast off”.
While the toddlers have been “exploring” space, we explored the different things that you can see in space, from all of the different planets, stars, comets, and asteroids then creating their own galaxies with bright colours of paint. These concepts focus on fostering curiosity allowing the toddlers to further wonder more about spaceships and how they fly. We explained how spaceships fly with the use of their special fuel that creates enough energy to propel the spaceship upwards with enough force to fly in space. The toddlers then engaged in their own rocket launch by creating one using a paper rocket and straws. When the toddlers blew on the straw their paper rocket flew across the room, the toddlers practiced trial and error when blowing with different amounts of force.
While learning about space the toddlers further their understanding and deepen their knowledge through exploring their surroundings and engaging in imaginative play. We look forward to what next month has to offer.
