Cognitive Development
Ways children go about thinking critically and understanding
5 Materials that can be used: blocks, nesting cups, Oball rattle and roll sports cars, soft and safe sensory shapes, and hide and seek discovery ball.
1
Planning Form
Name of Activity
Colored Water
Originating Idea
Children are excited to participate in water play
Curriculum Area
E. Cognitive Development
22. Exploring objects: children explore objects with their hands, feet, mouth, eyes, ears, and nose
Materials
A sensory tub or bin, warm water, food coloring, clear plastic jugs, clear plastic cups with holes, mold-free water toys, stacking/nesting cups with holes, and lots of towels.
Appropriate Age group:
Infant and toddlers
Beginning of Activity
Children explore the different properties of water
Middle of Activity
Your ideas for scaffolding children at different developmental levels
Early:
Children explore the water by feeling, tasting, and splashing the water.
Middle:
Children explore the water by grasping and throwing the water toys.
Later:
Children explore the water by scooping the water up with the cups and jugs, followed by pouring water out and repeating the activity.
End of Activity
*Please note that some mobile infants will climb inside the sensory bin/tub.
Sing the classroom clean-up song while assisting the children in cleaning up our toys, drying the toys, drying the children off, changing children’s diapers and clothing if necessary, and then putting everything away. Wash the children’s hands with soap and water after finishing the sensory activity.
Follow-up Ideas
Add additional colors to the water to mix and make the water change colors.
2
Planning Form
Name of Activity
More Bubbles Please
Originating Idea
Children develop the ability to understand and communicate their needs
Curriculum Area
E. Cognitive Development
25. Exploring more: children experience “more”
Materials
Non-toxic bubbles
Appropriate Age group:
Infant and toddlers
Beginning of Activity
Children use some signs, body language, or verbalization to communicate a need
Middle of Activity
Your ideas for scaffolding children at different developmental levels
Early:
Children enjoy watching the bubbles that are being blown around them and may attempt to reach and grab bubbles. When the teacher stops blowing bubbles, they listen for vocalizations being made.
Middle:
Children enjoy reaching and popping the bubbles being blown around them. Children use the ASL sign for “more” and “please” after the teacher stops blowing bubbles.
Later:
Children enjoy reaching and popping the bubbles being blown around them. Children use words and ask for “more bubbles please.”
End of Activity
Sing the classroom clean-up song while putting the bubbles away.
Follow-up Ideas
Allow the children to try and blow the bubbles themselves.
3
Planning Form
Name of Activity
Scooping in the Dirt
Originating Idea
Children understand cause and effect
Curriculum Area
E. Cognitive Development
29. Filling and emptying: children fill and empty, put in and take out
Materials
A sensory bin/tub, dirt, measuring cups, plastic animals, toy cars, and trucks
Appropriate Age group:
Infant and toddlers
Beginning of Activity
Children explore dirt inside the sensory table
Middle of Activity
Your ideas for scaffolding children at different developmental levels
Early:
Children explore the dirt by touching, feeling, tasting, and throwing.
Middle:
Children will explore the dirt by pushing the toy cars and trucks around and hiding the animals in the dirt.
Later:
Children will explore the dirt by using the measuring cups to scoop the dirt and then dump the dirt out.
End of Activity
Sing the classroom clean-up song while assisting the children in cleaning up our toys and putting them away. Wash the children’s hands with soap and water after finishing the sensory activities.
Follow-up Ideas
Switch out the manipulatives with a variety of sand toys and molds.