The morning began with dark clouds gathering over the Melati carpark shelter. What might have seemed like a gloomy Monday to some quickly transformed into an exciting opportunity for learning and play for our preschoolers.
As the teachers greeted children arriving with their parents, each class eagerly embraced the day with curiosity and enthusiasm. Rainy days, after all, are full of possibilities!
For the N2 class, the rain inspired a water collection activity. Armed with bottles and cups of various sizes, the children carefully positioned their containers under the roof's edge, where droplets fell in steady streams. This activity challenged their hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills as they figured out how to capture the water effectively.
Once their containers were partially filled, the children pooled their efforts, transferring their collected water into a central bottle. Watching them work together, we saw how quickly they developed their own systems—passing water down the line or contributing individually. These 30 minutes of innovative play were filled with teamwork, patience, and collaboration, demonstrating how even simple activities can inspire profound learning.
But the day didn’t stop there! The question arose: How can we extend their water play into a meaningful learning experience?
We turned to nature for answers, believing in its role as a powerful teacher. Using the water they had collected, the children explored nature painting. They mixed the water with watercolor ink, then used straws to draw out the liquid through capillary action. By blowing gently onto the droplets, they created patterns resembling branches and flowers. Adding dots and strokes, they brought their nature-inspired imaginations to life—painting everything from flowers to spiders and insects.
Through this process, they not only honed their artistic skills but also explored basic scientific concepts, like how liquids move and interact with surfaces. It was a perfect blend of creativity, nature appreciation, and discovery.
The day concluded with a Chinese language component, where the children learned the word for “flower” (花). Donning their raincoats, they ventured out on a mission to find and observe different types of flowers in the environment. This immersive experience connected language learning with hands-on exploration, making it both memorable and meaningful.
By the end of the day, the children's laughter and smiles had chased away any trace of the earlier gloom. Rainy days at Roots and Boots are never just about the weather—they’re about seizing the moment and turning every drop into a learning opportunity.