Inside: Water play table to practice pouring and gain arm strength.
Measurement activities start at home.
Have a child that likes to pour the milk?
How about a toddler that insists on pouring syrup on pancakes?
Children want to become independent.
Kids love to feel in charge.
Children need a chance to practice measurement in an open environment without feeling like they may make a mistake.
Even better?
This measurement pouring station is legit. All three of my boys (ages 2, 4, 5.5) wanted in asap – and it lasted until dinnertime. SCORE.
RELATED: Love ideas like this? Stop the endless Google search. SEE ALL HERE.
My measurement mission was simple.
Create a pouring station to practice holding a steady hand and better understanding measurement.
I wanted to create an area that had a buffer zone for spilled water and allow my four-year-old to grow confident in his pour.
Because let’s face it. My preschooler is going to want to continue pouring the milk in his oatmeal. Saying yes is important.
We practice now so that he can help later with more strength and muscle control.
RELATED: Love water play? We do too. See all our water ideas here.
Here’s my measurement water table trick:
Coloring the water with food coloring really helped my four-year-old judge how much water needed to be in each container in order to reach the line.
Hear what is happening here?
My four-year-old is pouring. – Gross Motor
My four-year-old is filling to each line. – Measurement
My four-year-old is learning through play. – WINNER, WINNER!
RELATED: Why do measurement activities matter? You’ll enjoy this list I found.
Pretty soon everyone wanted in on the measurement activity!
My Kindergartener could not wait to get his hands on this water play and came swooping in.
The two of them poured the colored water in one container and back into another.
They made predictions about how quickly the water would reach the line.
The boys poured with a steady hand allowing for some spillage.
New to sensory play? BEGIN HERE with this introduction to sensory bins post.
How do you teach measurements?
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Fill up a water pitcher with water.
Next, I find our 41 quarts under the bed storage bin to use as our water play table. – The best price for this is at Target.
I use the painter’s tape to create lines of measurement on each recycled container.
I use a few drops of food coloring to add to the water in the pouring pitcher.
Invite preschoolers to come pour and measure!
Remember, this is the perfect time for children to practice pouring WITHOUT the feeling of making a mistake.
Encourage them to fill each container to the line, and then observe from afar.
Does your child stop once they reach the line?
Do they acknowledge the line, but continue pouring anywaY?
How about strength? Is your preschooler able to lift the container with the water?
Try filling the container up with different amounts of water and see how they handle more weight.
Allow your preschooler to explore on his own terms.
Remember that you set the stage and planted the seed. – The rest is up to him.
When will you make your measurement activity?
Who wants more water play? Find 35+ Water Play Ideas HERE all in one place.
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