How babies and young children learn through water play

Water play has strong links to the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum, Te Whāriki, through strands such as Mana Aotūroa (exploration) and Mana reo (communication) as well as fostering curiosity and confidence.

• Sensory development: water play engages touch, sight and sound. When babies and toddlers feel the temperature of water, hear splashes and watch ripples, it strengthens sensory processing and awareness.
  
  
• Motor skills: pouring, squeezing sponges and reaching for floating toys develop fine motor control and hand-eye coordination. Larger movements like splashing help build gross motor strength.
  
  
• Cognitive growth: teachers and parents can introduce concepts like cause and effect e.g., “What happens when I pour?” and other early science ideas like floating and sinking.
  
  
• Social and emotional benefits: when playing with others, children learn turn-taking and communication. Water play can also provide a calming experience, helping children relax and regulate their emotions while they explore and learn.

How teachers in Early Childhood Education use water play with littlies...

Water play is often set up in shallow trays or basins with cups, funnels and floating objects, with teachers always supervising closely. Teachers extend learning by...

• Adding elements to water: using food colouring in the water is a favourite, as is putting out a category of toys (such as plastic animals). Sometimes teachers use a non-toxic type of slime in water trays to enhance the sensory experience.
  
  
• Using language: naming actions and introducing new words like 'full', 'empty', 'sink', and 'float'.
  
  
• Encouraging problem-solving: asking open-ended questions such as “What’s going to happen?”.
  
  
• Supporting social skills: facilitating turn-taking and cooperative play.

Water safety is non-negotiable. All children need constant supervision around any water vessels or baths. Depending on your child’s age and stage, this may mean they need to be physically held or that you need to be within arm’s reach at all times. Preparing ahead with all towels, soap and toys before filling the bath is critical, as is emptying any bath or water container immediately after use.

Water play offers a way to stay cool in the heat while also being a sensory-rich experience that children adore.
With safety steps in place, water play is a wonderful learning opportunity for babies and young children, both at home and in Early Childhood Education centres.

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