Children learn by exploring and investigating the world around them. Our Nature Playground provides a multitude of opportunities for this type of learning. Water play in particular is a wonderful opportunity for children to explore the properties of water, engage in imaginative play, and develop language skills. Water play also helps to develop students' sensory, social-emotional, academic (scientific/ mathematical), and fine and gross motor skills in a purposeful and engaging way.

On our nature playground, Nursery students have made the water fountain and all of our large wooden tree pieces central figures in their play. The students have been engrossed in filling any vessel they can get their hands on with water from the fountains. Working together, they experiment with how to get water from one irregular vessel to another.  Some students take on the role of water fillers, others help to push the fountain’s button, while others work to transport the water to different areas of the playground. Their play has a purpose and our students communicate their plans to one another, fostering and strengthening our very own kehillah (community). Using teamwork and trial and error, they balance their bodies and the various vessels in an attempt to collect the most water. This work is hard for their little hands and our children are developing their gross and fine motor coordination as they push, fill, and transfer. 

Working together as a team and communicating with one another is essential for their plans to succeed. Our students are utilizing problem-solving strategies and enhancing language development as they talk to one another about their vision for their water play. Some days they are firefighters, heading to put out a nearby fire with the water they have collected. On other days, they create elaborate lemonade stands using buckets of water, stones, sticks, and wood chips to create their delicious concoctions. Possibilities are endless on the nature playground for our students. With a little collaboration and lots of imagination, anything is possible and our community connections continue to strengthen and grow.