The Junior Kindergarten are learning about people who help them in the community. One of their dad’s is a plumber and he came in to talk to them about his job. He brought in lots of water pipes, levers, switches and tools for them to explore and connect. Together, they made a model of a simple desalination plant, which changes salt water to fresh water.
Since his visit, the children have continued to enjoy using the water pipe pieces in their free play. When creating hotels, homes and hospitals with the big bricks and waffle blocks, they include the water pipes to construct water systems and take on the role as plumbers and maintenance workers.
Here is a slideshow of the children building with the water pipes. This project has introduced lots of new vocabulary, encouraged logical thinking and provided lots of practise of using fine motor skills. Best of all, it has used real life materials that have tremendously enhanced and extended their play.