At The Vines ELC, we believe that Water play creates confident, capable learners, one splash at a time.
Welcoming summer with water play outside at The Vines ELC
Summer has arrived, and with it come warm days and plenty of opportunities for outdoor learning. At The Vines Early Learning Centre, our kaiako carefully consider the physical environment to ensure it remains calm, safe, and rich in sensory experiences. One of our most loved summer activities is water play, a refreshing way for tamariki to learn through hands-on exploration.
As we shared in an earlier blog about the benefits of water play, water offers children a powerful learning medium. It invites curiosity, experimentation, and joyful discovery, all while supporting physical, cognitive, and emotional development.
Why is water play so valuable in early childhood?
Children are natural explorers and problem solvers. When they play with water, they are testing ideas, making decisions and discovering cause and effect. Water play gives them a chance to slow down and focus while learning.
How does water play support physical development?
Water play is a whole-body experience. Activities such as pouring, lifting containers, carrying water, and squeezing sponges help strengthen both fine and gross motor muscles.
Through water play, children develop:
- Hand-eye coordination
- Grip strength and control
- Balance and body awareness
- Confidence in using their bodies in new ways
These movements support everyday skills and help prepare children for future tasks such as writing, climbing, and participating in group activities.
Can water play support early maths and science skills?
Absolutely. Water is a natural science lab for young children. Water play naturally introduces early scientific and mathematical concepts in a way that feels playful and engaging rather than structured.
Children explore ideas such as:
- Quantity and volume by filling and emptying containers
- Measurement by comparing water levels
- Weight by noticing how objects feel in and out of water
- Cause and effect by watching water flow, splash, or spill
These simple experiments help build curiosity and early mathematical thinking without any pressure to “get it right”. They help children make sense of how the world works and build confidence in their thinking.
Why does water play encourage focus and concentration?
Many children become deeply absorbed when playing with water. They can spend long periods experimenting, repeating actions, and refining their ideas.
This sustained engagement helps develop:
- Concentration and attention
- Persistence and patience
- Problem-solving skills
These are important foundations for later learning, including classroom-based activities.
How does water play stimulate the senses?
Water play offers rich sensory experiences that support brain development. Children feel temperature changes, hear splashes, and watch movement. At The Vines, kaiako sometimes add different elements to increase the learning value, for example:
- Ice for temperature differences.
- Bubbles for texture and smell.
- Sand for changing textures.
Sensory play helps children regulate emotions, supports calmness, and encourages curiosity.
Making learning joy-filled and safe
Water play at The Vines is always thoughtfully supervised and designed to be safe, inclusive, and engaging. Kaiako observe and support children as they explore at their own pace.
Keeping wee ones safe in the sun
Sun safety is an important part of our summer routine at The Vines, so please remember to apply sunblock to your child before or on arrival at the centre. Our kaiako will reapply sunblock throughout the day in accordance with our Sun Safety Policy.
We also ask that all children bring a named hat to wear at our childcare centre. Hats help to protect precious skin while tamariki enjoy water play and other outdoor summer experiences.
Summer learning through play
Water play outside is more than just a way to cool down on hot days. It is a powerful learning experience that supports physical development, thinking skills, sensory exploration, and emotional well-being.
As we welcome summer, we look forward to many more moments of laughter, splashing, experimenting, and learning together.