This month the Infants have been exploring temperature through various indoor and outdoor activities. We decided to combine a sensory and art activity that builds on the concept of different temperatures. The educators froze water mixed with paint into muffin tins to create pucks, and froze popsicle sticks into the ice as handles. The infants were invited to the table which had paper and the frozen paint pucks all ready to go.
The infants sat down and chose paint pucks from the muffin tins and inspected them carefully. Walter touched the frozen paint with his hand and removed it quickly. Educator Kiva asked “Does that feel cold, Walter?” He smiled and touched the ice again, leaving his hand on a little longer this time since he knew what to expect. Brayden held the handles of the paint pucks, one in each hand, and slid his pucks along the paper. Educators pointed out the colour trail that was left behind! Brayden said “Oooohh!” as he continued sliding his pucks along the paper. Allie and Noah discovered the fun sounds they could make as they tapped their ice pucks on the table. We noticed as they tapped, coloured water began to make small splashes on the paper. Allie ran her hand through the coloured water and lifted it back up, watching the water drip from her fingers. Damian grabbed two icy pucks in his hands and lifted them up, looking up with wide eyes at his educators. Educator Lorie said, “Brr, that is cold, isn’t it?” He let go of the ice and looked at the palms of his hands, wiggling his fingers. The children continued exploring this sensory art activity, babbling and smiling at one another as it became even more watery as time went on.
We wonder, what else could we explore that is cold like this? Or warm? How can we use items and materials around us to discover more temperatures?
