Benefits of water play

There are a vast number of ways in which children learn and develop skills. By watching, listening and repeating things they observe, a child can learn new concepts and skills from the people around them. One of the many ways to help young children develop is through water play. Water-play can form the basis of really stimulating, engaging and educational activities for children. It’s also very cost effective and doesn’t require too much preparation! I’ve listed a few activities below, they may seem really simple but they can have enormous benefits.

1. Filling containers

Although very simple, playing with containers can provide your child with a lot of important skills. You could develop games which teach them to estimate how much water it takes to fill a certain container, or to teach them when a container is full. Such games can help to develop their develop mathematical abilities. For younger children, simply filling up containers can help to develop their hand-eye coordination and motor skills.

2. Painting with water

Another very simple method of aiding development, painting with water is also mess-free. Children can use a paintbrush to write or draw on a driveway or pavement, helping to fine-tune their hand-eye coordination and motor skills. You could also add different substances to the water to change its coul and consistency.

3. Being around water

There are a huge variety of games to be played around water, be it outside in a swimming pool or playing “pooh sticks” or inside in your bath at home. These games can help your child to develop in a wide range of areas, providing mental stimulation by asking them to guess which sticks will sink or float or physical development by getting them to move when in water.

It is always very important to remember that playing with water can be incredibly dangerous, and children must be supervised at all times during these activities.