Sample Answer
Introduction
This weekly plan is designed for toddlers aged 1 to 2.6 years and focuses on the theme “Exploring Water.” Water is a familiar, sensory-rich material that invites curiosity, exploration, and open-ended play. According to Bredekamp (2017), young children learn best through hands-on, sensory experiences that relate to their everyday life. This plan integrates all developmental domains in a playful, engaging, and culturally sensitive way, based on the NYS Early Learning Guidelines and age-appropriate expectations.
Goals for Children (Aligned with NYS Early Learning Guidelines)
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Cognitive Development: Children will explore cause and effect by pouring, splashing, and mixing water with different tools.
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Language Development: Children will develop vocabulary related to water (e.g., wet, splash, cold, pour).
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Physical Development: Children will improve fine motor skills through scooping and pouring, and gross motor skills by jumping and moving through water play.
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Social-Emotional Development: Children will practise sharing and taking turns with materials.
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Creative Expression: Children will explore water through painting, colour mixing, and sensory bottles.
Daily Activities Integrated Across Developmental Areas
| Day | Activity | Area of Development | Rationale (Cited) |
| Monday |
Water table with cups & spoons |
Physical, cognitive, language |
Promotes exploration and trial/error (Bredekamp, 2017) |
| Tuesday |
Painting with coloured water |
Creative, fine motor, sensory |
Encourages creativity and expression |
| Wednesday |
Water songs and rhymes |
Language, music, social-emotional |
Language is built through song (Bredekamp, 2017) |
| Thursday |
Floating & sinking objects |
Science, cognitive, physical |
Develops observation skills |
| Friday |
Water play in the garden (supervised) |
Gross motor, social-emotional, environmental |
Open-ended outdoor play builds social bonds (Bredekamp, 2017) |
Environment Setup
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Low water tables at toddler height.
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Soft towels and aprons for comfort and cleanliness.
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Non-slip mats for safety.
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Calm, uncluttered area with natural light.
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Books and pictures about water nearby.
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Materials reflect diverse cultures (cups, spoons, jugs from around the world).
Parent Involvement Strategies
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Take-Home Activity: Parents receive a "water play at home" sheet with ideas for safe kitchen water play (e.g., measuring cups in the sink).
Level: Learning at Home
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Classroom Visit: Invite parents to participate in “Water Play Day” on Friday.
Level: Volunteering/Participation
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Parent Communication: A short newsletter sent home explaining how water play supports development.
Level: Communication
Linked to textbook and theme (Bredekamp, 2017; Chapter on Family Partnerships)
Parent Letter Sample
Dear Parents,
This week, we are diving into the world of water! Through hands-on activities like pouring, splashing, and painting, your child will be learning new words, building muscles, and discovering how the world works. As Bredekamp (2017) reminds us, young children learn best through play that is open-ended and connected to real-life experiences.
Please feel free to join us on Friday for a fun Water Play Day. Also, see the take-home ideas to continue the learning at home. We look forward to a week of learning, joy, and very wet socks!
Warm regards,
[Your Name]