Sinking Vs Floating

ObjectivesProperty of water (maths knowledge)

Awareness of the uses of water (knowledge of the

world, language development)

Vocabulary: light, heavy, float, sink (language

development)

Property of various objects (knowledge of the world)

Confidence and independence (spiritual development)

Target Age3-4 years old

Materials neededA non see-through bag1 metal spoon1 wooden spoonA very large bowl, filled up with waterAbout 10 objects of various weight, some will

sink and some will float (see ideas on next page)

Ideas for activity objects Marbles Bottle cap Cork Candle Plastic block Nail Large button shall Plastic bottle with cap Paper boat Soap Coin A rubber duck Some of the child’s favourite water-proof toys which will sink Some of the child’s favourite water-proof toys which will float

Steps1. Put the objects into the bag.2. Put the bowl or bucket of water in front of the

child.

3. Put the metal spoon in the water, watch it sink.

4. Tell the child clearly “it sinks”.

5. Put the wooden spoon in the water, watch it float.

6. Tell the child clearly “it floats”.

7. (optional) Press the wooden spoon to the bottom of the water. Release and watch it float again. Reinforce the difference between the sunken metal spoon and the floating wooden spoon. Repeat the words ‘sink’ and ‘float’ if necessary.

8. Take the metal spoon out, place it on the left side of the bowl.

9. Take the wooden spoon out, place it on the right side of the bowl.

10.Take 1 object out from the bag, let the child hold it and examine it.

11.Ask the child to guess if it will sink or float.

12.If the child thinks that it would sink, ask the child to put the object on the same side of the metal spoon.

13.If the child thinks that it would float, ask the child to put the object on the same side of the wooden spoon.

14.Ask the child to continue with one object at a time with the remaining objects.

Let him/her do it on his/her own.

Do NOT offer help unless necessary.

Do NOT rush him/her.

15.When the child has finished, ask the child to put the objects on the ‘sinking’ side into the water. The child will find out the answer to his/her guesses.

16.Then ask the child to do the same for the ‘floating’ side.

Discussion with your child1. Discuss with the child about different uses

of water: cleaning, drinking, cooking, washing clothes, watering plants, swimming, sailing, dissolving salt / sugar, etc.

2. Discuss with the child about conservation of water (e.g. do not leave the tap dripping).

3. Discuss with the child about water safety (in swimming pool, on slippery floor, etc).

Additional informationThis game can be repeated many times with

varying objects.

Allow the child to choose his/her own objects.