July 11th-15th Family Activities Newsletter

Welcome to the WMHT Family Activities Newsletter.
This weekly family newsletter is providing resources for children’s growing and learning throughout the summer and fall months.
The theme for this week is Water Activities Part 1.
I hope you find this helpful!
Barbara Lukas, Family Learning Coordinator
Theme: Water Activities Part 1
Welcome to family activities with PBS Kids! Water play activities help to develop and strengthen children's gross and fine motor skills. Explore water based activities below.
Two age level areas are available – PreK-K and Grades 1-2. 
PreK-K
It’s fun to watch the water move, sometimes slow or fast, and see how it finds its way over and around obstacles. Create a model of a river from materials found around your home. Explore what happens to the water when obstacles like rocks are placed in certain spots. You may need adult help building the water trough. How long is your river model?
       Ice Boats
Experiment with some summer boats made from ice! You will need small containers, twigs, and pipe cleaners. Use construction paper to make the sails and tape them to the twig after the water has frozen, Did you try coloring your boats by adding food coloring to the water before freezing?


Grades 1-2
Saltwater is found in the ocean, seas, and in some lakes. Freshwater is found in rivers, lakes, glaciers and icebergs. Saltwater and freshwater act in different ways. In this activity, experiment to see how water changes when different substances are added to it.
Ice Sculpture
Observe how temperature affects water as you create a frozen ice sculpture. Begin by researching how water freezes. Then gather supplies to create a variety of ice shapes and put them together for a unique sculpture. Did you add glitter to any of the containers?

Fun and Easy Ideas of Water Play for Preschoolers
There is something about water that draws children in and captures their attention. Exploring water — by splashing, pouring, dropping, and more — engages the senses. Water play also encourages learning through observation and making predictions. During these warm summer months, check out some ideas for preschool water play, whether it’s in your backyard, your kitchen, or the sidewalk outside.

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