Pre-School Science Experiments

The children in Pre-School at Daisykins Nursery in Rugby have become little scientists over the last month. Practitioners have set up different experiments for the children to take part in, encouraging them to explore different areas of science.

 

While playing with the train track a couple of the children noticed that one end of the toy train attached itself to another train but wouldn't attach to the wooden track. A practitioner explained that this was because the train had a magnet on the end and that some objects are magnetic and some things aren't. Following on from this one of the practitioners decided to set up a magnetic experiment. They filled a large bottle with water and dropped in different objects. The children were then encouraged to use a magnet on the outside of the bottle and try to attract them. Practitioners explained that if the object attached itself to the magnet it was magnetic and if it didn't then it was non magnetic. The children took it in turns to have a go and concentrated very hard. During circle time the children were then encouraged by practitioners to identify and sort out objects into two piles, one of objects which were magnetic and one of which were non magnetic, doing this as a group effort.

Another experiment that the children took part in was the 'Coke and Memto' experiment. A practitioner gathered the children in the outdoor learning classroom and explained that they were going to add memtos to a bottle of coke to see what would happen. Very carefully the practitioner undid the lid and encouraged a small group of children to pop some of the memtos in through a funnel and then to stand back. What happened next amazed the children, the coke fizzed up and exploded out of the bottle into the air. The children exclaimed "It's exploding!". When asked what had happened the practitioner explained that a reaction had taken place.

 

To extend the children's understanding of science further a practitioner also set up a sink or float experiment. A group of children gathered around the water tray and were instructed to drop different objects into the water. Taking it in turns one child poured in some cooking oil and it floated on top of the water. The children were asked what had happened and one said "It's floating". A practitioner then explained this was because the oil is lighter than water. Next a child dropped in a stone and this sank to the bottom, it was then explained to the children that it had sank as it was heavier than the water. The children continued to add different objects, each time identifying what had happened. Finally a child added some salt to the water and to the children's amazement it disappeared. A practitioner then explained that it had dissolved.

Practitioners at Daisykins Nursery like to make learning fun for the children, using different activities to enhance the children's learning.