Splish Splash: The Surprising Benefits of Water Play
With summer approaching, it is the perfect time to get outdoors, cool off, and support exploration through water play. Young children have a natural sense of wonder and delight when it comes to water, and when they engage in these activities, they are doing more than just having fun and making memories; they are learning and developing while building curiosity.
Water Play Strengthens Cognitive Development
Playing in the water strengthens cognitive development and builds vocabulary through the introduction of scientific and mathematical concepts. Children learn about cause and effect through sink-and-float activities, explore evaporation by "painting" the sidewalk with water, and understand mass and capacity by recognizing when buckets are full or empty. They can also practice counting and estimation by seeing how many cups it takes to fill a bucket or how many buckets it takes to fill a tub.
Water Play Enhances Gross and Fine Motor Skills
Another benefit of water play is that it enhances both gross and fine motor skills. Physical coordination and hand-eye coordination are supported by wringing out sponges, using eyedroppers, squeezing squeeze bottles, and using paintbrushes. Gross motor skills are strengthened as children splash, kick, dump large buckets of water, and run through sprinklers.
Water Play Fosters Social and Emotional Development
Beyond the physical benefits, water play encourages imagination and creativity while strengthening social and emotional development. It can be a calming and relaxing experience, allowing children to release energy and regulate their emotions. It also provides opportunities for cooperation and fosters social interaction through taking turns, communicating, and role-playing. Because children often stay engaged for long periods of time, it even helps strengthen their focus and ability to concentrate.