At the EYEC water play is an important part of our curriculum, in which children learn through exploration that water has no constraints in how it can or should be used as the end result is open ended

Three young children playing with a water pump outside

Exploring cause and effect through hands-on water play

small child's hands in a water trough with nets and ducks

Floating, pouring and discovering

young boys pouring water down a ramp from a bucket

Exploring gravity and flow with hands-on water play

young children playing with a tray filled with water and pouring cups

Sensory exploration in action - feeling, pouring and discovering together

young children pouring water in a water trough outside

Building coordination and curiosity one pour at a time

Educator and young children pouring coloured water into funnels and tubes

Exploring colour through playful water experiments

a young girl filling a small watering can at a sink

Getting ready to care for plants

Young boy washing his hands at the sink

Practising healthy habits independently

Learning Through Water Play

Water play is a natural, open-ended experience that supports children’s learning from babies through to pre-school. At the EYEC, water is a core part of our curriculum and is available indoors and outdoors every day. Through hands-on exploration, children discover that there is no single “right way” to play with water, allowing curiosity, creativity and problem-solving to flourish.

Cognitive Development 

Inspired by Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, we recognise that children learn best by exploring and testing ideas for themselves. Water play encourages trial and error, such as discovering what floats or sinks, how water moves, and how predictions can change through experience. These moments help children build early thinking and reasoning skills.

Learning Through Connection

Guided by Friedrich Froebel’s belief in open-ended, hands-on learning, water play at the EYEC allows children to make meaningful connections between their ideas, feelings and the world around them. With the support of attentive adults, children develop concentration, persistence and confidence as they explore freely.

Sensory Awareness

Water naturally engages all the senses. Children explore temperature, movement, sound and texture as they pour, splash, scoop and swirl. Adding bubbles, colour or scent extends these experiences further, helping children to focus, relax and engage deeply in their play.

Early Maths and Science

Through water play, children develop early mathematical concepts such as full and empty, heavy and light, more and less, and size comparisons. Using resources like jugs, funnels and measuring containers also introduces counting and volume. At the same time, children begin to explore scientific ideas including cause and effect, gravity, movement and properties of liquids.

Physical Development

Pouring, lifting, squeezing and transferring water strengthens hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and control. These movements support children’s physical development in a purposeful and enjoyable way.

Water play is calming, engaging and endlessly adaptable - making it a powerful learning experience for every child.