Top Tot Scientists

Little Ivy’s ran a ‘Segment of Science Initiative’, where our tots had the chance to explore solids, liquids and gases.

First up, tots and carers set off to the North Pole to the land of ice and snow – eager to meet the Polar Bears. Subsequently they trekked off to the South Pole to meet the Penguins. With spoons in hand, they prodded and poked the solid ice and watched it melt into a liquid. The following week, Croydon High’s creative catering team produced a jelly for the tots to investigate. This was no ordinary jelly, it was a giant vegetarian showstopper jelly! At first, the tots were wary but then they used some of the Happyland people to prod and poke it. They bounced the Happyland people on it and watched it wobble whilst they touched it, smelt it, squooshed, squashed and squished it.

During the third week, it was time to investigate air. This was a little tricky as we can’t see air but tots discovered it exists. Tots did a lot of huffing and puffing as they blew through straws to propel their boats across the soapy seas. By this stage, our top tot scientists were well and truly into their exploration of gases. The next moment, a toddler was blowing into the water with the realisation bubbles were being created, another tot joined in, then another and another – soon we had a raft of bubbles. Tots investigated and extended their own learning! It was a truly perfect moment.

During the penultimate week, a tray of Oobleck was the focus. Oobleck is a mixture of cornflour and water, it can pour like a liquid but it can be as hard as cement when compressed. Finally, at Little Ivy’s last session of the term, tots explored blue soapy foam (air bubbles which are separated by a liquid).

Ice, jelly, blowing through straws, Oobleck and blue, soapy foam – Little Ivy’s tots loved our ‘Segment of Science Initiative’, the only problem they want to do it all again! Don’t worry tots – we will!

Little Ivy’s would like to thank Croydon High Digital Leaders for showing our tots how to program a robot – the toddlers had fun and we were very impressed with their demonstration and explanations.

Anita Reeves
Little Ivy’s Stay and Play Supervisor