The people of the medieval ages did not enjoy water as we do today. Most citizens received their water from wells and other communal sources. This water was almost always tainted with bacteria, caused by human waste and poor sanitation. To compensate, people would add alcohol, honey, and other fruits to the water to make it “cleaner” for consumption. Using honey, limes, and water, we created our own version of mead. Before we began this activity, we discussed what germs were and how important it is to exercise proper hygiene. Your budding historian also learned about why medieval water was so dirty, and how they can ensure cleanliness in their own lives. When young children are active in creating their learning experiences, they foster meaningful connections between new information and their understanding of it. This is an important component in the capacity to problem solve. As they add and manipulate levels of ingredients, they amplify their ability to think creatively, as they create new and unique combinations of ideas and materials.