On Tuesday, we read about cumulus clouds during circle time. Our discussion involved defining and identifying cumulus clouds, and discovering their formation! Using preschool-friendly terms, we learned that clouds are created by moisture, sunlight, water, and ice! We also explored words associated with rain, and revisited our lesson on rain formation. Our shaving cream clouds were a natural extension of our lesson! Using turkey basters, your budding scientists dropped blue water into the shaving cream. They were transfixed as the color seeped through the “clouds” into the water. Your little meteorologist was then given ample opportunity to explore the “process” on their own. They were very intrigued, and decided, once they had used all of their water, that it would be more fun to move the clouds to the ground. Everyone delighted in pouring the “clouds” onto the ground and dancing in the remains. Activities that provide open ended learning foster a lifelong love of science and discovery. Young children are naturally curious, and need little motivation to promote their wonder and fascination of the world. Our messy cumulus clouds project provided the opportunity to fulfill some of that wonder.
Tag Archives: rain
What Happens to Rain?
Teaching scientific concepts to young children poses unique challenges, so in our classroom, we use simple vocabulary and fun projects to keep them captivated! Water rotation is an ideal introduction to rain formation, so we talked about where rain comes from and where it goes! With Playdoh, sticks, salt shakers, and blue water, we practiced making it rain on our “land” and then watched as it returned to the “ocean”. Hands-on activities such as these reinforce complicated concepts and allow your preschoolers to grasp how rain works!