Water Wonder

Get a small clean sponge, put a small amount of water in a plastic bowl and give them to your child. They will have fun watching the water move up the sponge. Show them how to squeeze out the sponge and soak up the water again. A little water will probably get on the counter and your child’s clothes, but the activity is sure to keep them entertained for a while. It is a perfect thing to have your child do in their high chair while you do something that you can only do when they aren’t around such as cleaning or cooking.

Playing with water like this has many benefits. To adults it may seem like your child is just making a mess, but playing with water stimulates the senses and helps develop motors skills.This particular activity helps them learn how to squeeze. It also helps a child understand spatial concepts. A bowl filled with water helps them understand volume. Water drips and splashes help a child make connections about natural laws like gravity

You can do a variation of this activity by offering small plastic items such as a tupperware lid or a spoon and showing your child how to clean them. Put them someplace where they can watch you wash dishes as well. This is imitative play; all children love imitative play especially at this age. They learn what is considered good and bad and how to act through imitation of those they see everyday (usually you, the parent). Give your child a dry towel and show them how to dry off the items they have “washed”.

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