Page 2 - Child Care Resource Center

Head Start Birth to Five
Dear Families,
Head Start Birth to Five would like to offer these activities as
a way to support your child’s growth and development over
the summer weeks. These activities are designed to take
place in the home with easily available materials and are fun, developmentally-appropriate learning experiences for your child. We have included some new vocabulary words (blue), activity modifications for infants and toddlers (green), and some helpful tips for engaging your child (**). We hope you take great care of yourselves, children, and families during this time and remember that CCRC is here to help in any way that we can.
SUMMER FUN ACTIVITIES
WATER PLAY
Focus Question: What water play activity (activities) made you and your child laugh?
1. Water strainers
For this play all you need are plastic cups or water bottles.
You will punch or cut holes in the bottom of your plastic
cup or bottle. Make the holes’ different sizes on each cup
or bottle. Let the child scoop or pour water in the holey
container and see how the water flows (large holes) or drips
(small holes), out of the container. Your child can play with
their strainers in the bathtub, sink, or water play table.
**Tip: If you use water bottles, add to the fun by squeezing the water and observe with children to see how the “flow” changes!
*For infants and toddler there is no need to modify this activity. They can play too!
2. “Cooking” water
Gather small pot and pour in water. Bring a variety of large cooking utensils such as potato mashers, flour sifter, cooking spoons (with and without holes), wooden spoons, etc. Allow child to choose which cooking utensil they would like to use to “cook” with. As they are stirring, mashing, scooping and pouring, ask which one do they think they can use to put
the “food” into a bowl or cup? (not recommending a plate to
decrease spills and mess).
**Tip: if you are concerned about mess, cover the area where this play will happen, or have paper towels handy.
*For infants and toddler there is no need to modify this activity. They can play too!
2