In this BLOG post I will teach you how to create this shaving cream activity, the benefits of STEAM play and ways to extend your learning.
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XO Gina
This activity is so simple, but SO impactful!
All you need are two materials: shaving cream + pool noodles. If you have a Dollar Store near you, grab the materials there to keep this cost effective!
STEAM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. STEAM activities are fun, engaging, hands-on and allow children (and adults!) an opportunity to think differently. Activities like this allow a child to explore and problem solve and collaborate. It connects them to the world around them, providing unique opportunities for your little innovate Scientists to learn and grow.
This type of exploratory learning goes hand-in-hand with PLAY. Kids can navigate their choices, their materials and lean into their interests.
STEAM activities are also inclusive: there is no WRONG way to PLAY! You are free to interact with and create, freely.
It is active learning. It is open-ended. It is movement and questioning and authentic, meaningful play. I LOVED STEAM days in the classroom. The happy chatter, the excitement and the pride in their work was unmatched!
Activities like this can also be very calming. The sensory benefits of squishing and smooshing the shaving cream can help to regulate big emotions. It also provides a task for them to focus on, which can increase attention and time on task.
The BEST part...I am going to teach you how to keep the fun going by extending your learning and play. The pool noodles can be re-used over and over again!
Stem activities...
Encourage learning through curiosity and play.
Teach children how to develop critical thinking skills.
Support collaborative learning and teamwork.
Promote problem solving.
Allow children to engage with materials in a hands-on and play-based manner.
Introduce big concepts in a developmentally way.
Reinforce learning as a fun and engaging process.
Help to develop real-world skills and get children ready for future careers.
Are inclusive: there is no wrong way to play.
Materials:
Shaving cream
Pool Noodles
Knife (for cutting)
Sensory tray or bowl
OR butcher paper and painter's tape
Step 1: Gather your materials and pick your play space.
Step 2: Use a sharp knife to cut the pool noodle into a variety of sizes.
Step 3: Squirt shaving cream into a sensory tray or bowl OR cover a surface with butcher paper and tape it down. Squirt shaving cream into piles on the paper. You can squirt the shaving cream into piles or into a bucket for easy scooping. If the child is able, you can allow them to squirt the shaving cream as they need it- this is EXCELLENT for strengthening fine motor skills
Step 4: !(Optional) add a few squirts of washable paint to color the shaving cream.
Step 5: PLAY!
IMPORTANT:
This is NOT a taste-safe recipe. If you have children who are still exploring with their mouths, I suggest saving this recipe for later. You can substitute shaving cream for whipped cream!
What skills are you working on during messy play?
Fine & Gross Motor Skills: As the child squishes and squeezes, they are developing their finger and hand muscles. Those same finger and hand muscles are responsible for self-help skills such as: feeding yourself, zippering your coat and holding a pencil during writing! Messy play can also help support spatial awareness, balance & coordination.
Hand-Eye Coordination: Hand-eye coordination is simultaneously using your hands & your eyes for a task. Strong hand-eye coordination helps you with tasks such as feeding yourself, coloring in the lines & pouring a drink in a cup.
Bilateral coordination: Using both sides of the body to complete a task.
Cognitive development refers to how a child acquires and understands information; how they think, learn and problem solve. There are many opportunities to develop cognitive development during messy play through problem solving and understanding cause/effect.
Language Development: Messy play is SO good for supporting language development. There are opportunities to learn new words and practice phrases.
Social Skills: Messy play can help to establish and strengthen social skills. Children will practice using their manners, sharing, turn-taking and having patience.
Way to extend your learning and play:
Write letters on the pool noodles. Practice putting them in alphabetical order, spelling your name or building simple words.
See how tall of a tower you can build before it falls. Count how many!
Build two towers and compare which is the biggest and which is the smallest.
Use two different color pool noodles and make patterns.
Sort by color or by size.
Write numbers on the pool noodles: put them in numerical order, count them or practice simple addition/subtraction problems.
Put a bucket of soapy water and a sponge next to your play. Wash everything off when you are done- that makes it two activities in one!
Clean up-tips:
For easy clean up: keep wipes nearby, along with a plastic bag or trash bin to discard.
Wear old clothes or a bathing suit, and plan to head to the tub after this fun sensory play!
Take it outdoors! Wash it off with a hose when you're done.
Use an old beach towel or sheet under the bins to catch any spills.
You get to decide what is safe and manageable in your home. Always monitor young children.
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