Summer is the perfect time to get the kids outside and start making some new discoveries. Going outside is also the perfect idea when your learning gets messy. In Toddler School this week we took our big Sensory Tub outside for some scientific Discovery Learning. Armed with my vinegar and baking soda we discovered some pretty awesome chemical reactions!

Cash and Wyatt are nearly three and nearly 1.5 when we did this so make sure your children are age appropriate. Though the two ingredients alone are safe {reasonably} you don’t want anyone doing this activity who might put things in their mouth or rub their eyes. In fact, it is best if your kids understand and respect that they shouldn’t touch the ingredients at all, but only the eye droppers before doing this activity…. there, that’s my PSA announcement… now on to the fun!

What you need:

Your Extra Large Sensory Bin {which I use so much}
Baking Soda
White Vinegar
Eye Droppers and Syringes
Clear buckets {optional}

Introduction

I think it is always very important to first talk about rules when working with anything Sensory or Discovery play related. I know, I know, the point is for them to make their own discoveries, so let me be more clear:

Structure. What will the structure of this activity be?

I set out my tub and brought the ingredients out. My first coaching keyword is Safety.
I told the boys that we were doing a Science Experiment and safety was our main goal.

I explained, “This is how we be safe”

1. Hands on the droppers only
2. Only mommy touches the ingredients
3. Sit up straight, noses in the air {this last one was for fume avoidance, yet another reason we did this outside}

Notice how I avoid using the word “no” when I explain rules? This is a Behavioural Technique that works wonders. By telling them what they CAN and SHOULD do, they’re more inclined to listen. Who likes to be told “no” anyway? Not me. I’d walk away…all your no’s are no fun mom!

Discovery Practice

I made the first move. I used an eye dropper, dipped it in the bucket of vinegar and drizzled it over the sprinkled baking soda. Wide-eyed amazement ensued and rapid fire dropper grabbing. Reminders of positively stated “rules” are frequently recited here to keep them engaged.
We also practiced our fine motor control with the syringes.
Guided Questions: “What do you notice?” “Is that safe?” “Are you being safe?”
We did drop a clump of baking soda into the vinegar to watch it completely dissolve.

Discovery Learning

Let them grab the droppers and have at it. Keeping noses in the air is a good reminder here as well as making sure they don’t get anything near their eyes or faces. Control any flicking of vinegar. I started a conversation about how scientists are very careful when they make new discoveries.
Guided Questions: “Where does the baking soda go?” “How is it changing?”
Keywords: Chemical Reaction, Dissolve, Evaporate

Cash was much more interested in this activity than Wyatt. Wyatt struggled to use the eye droppers, and I wouldn’t let him touch it, so he wandered off.

Check out Cash’s video where he boasts about his