❄️Exploring Winter Wonders: From Slime to Snow Habitats❄️
Jan20th
❄️ Snowy Sensory Adventures in EYFS!🌟 Curiosity in Action: How Animals Survive the Cold
Following our exciting exploration of ice last week, the EYFS children continued their winter investigations by exploring slime that replicated snow in our small world sensory area. The texture and movement of the slime encouraged rich sensory play, and the children eagerly used it to create snowy habitats for the animals in the provision.
As they played, the experience naturally sparked curiosity and meaningful discussion. Many children began asking thoughtful questions about how the animals they were using—such as polar bears and penguins—manage to stay warm in such cold environments. This led to wonderful conversations about fur, feathers, blubber, and how different animals adapt to survive in freezing climates.
Mrs Renton shared: “It was fantastic to see the children so engaged. Their questions showed real curiosity and a love for learning. Activities like this help them shine as they explore and make sense of the world around them.”
Follow-Up Ideas for Home
To keep the learning alive at home, here are some simple ideas and questions you can use:
Questions to Ask:
Why do you think polar bears have thick fur?
How do penguins stay warm in icy water?
What would happen if these animals lived somewhere hot instead?
Activities to Try:
Blubber Experiment: Fill a bowl with icy water. Put one hand in a plastic bag and then into another bag filled with butter or vegetable shortening. Compare how warm your hand feels compared to the other hand in the water!
Animal Sorting: Look at pictures of animals and sort them into “cold places” and “warm places.”
Cosy Animal Homes: Use blankets and cushions to build a “den” for a polar bear or a nest for a penguin.
These activities help children continue to Love, Learn, and Shine beyond the classroom.
