Spooning for letters- Water fun

   Today, I decided that we would play with water.  The children love water!  Here are a few tips that I suggest to make it go smoothly. 

• Lay trash bags on the ground and then 2 layers of blankets over that. ( My trash bags were not even wet after the activity

•  Remove their shoes.
• You can remove their clothes. ( I didn't.)
• Set expectations.  Be clear and brief. Trust me it helps!  Tell the children what they are doing with the water and what they are allowed to do with the water.  They were not allowed to pick up their bowl that is one reason why the older 2 had a larger bowl so that would not be able to lift it quickly.
• Give each child their own bowl with a small amount of water.
• Place letters, numbers, or other objects in the container.  For the 20 month old- as mentioned I gave her a smaller container, which had less water in it and it was deeper so it was difficult for her to get lots of water out.  It was easier for her to control as well.
• As the children were scooping letters out I would tell them what letter they had and the sound or ask what color their letter was (with the younger 2).
• The older one would spoon out her letters to make words. 
• It always seems like these activities end with color sorting and pouring!  They cannot get enough.  That's okay.
• It was laid back and relaxed.  I let them play and talk to me. 
• You could also do the activity outside once it gets warmer.
• We usually do this activity when it is rainy or too cold to go outside.

We had a great time!