Learning Through Play – The Bubble Exploration Experience
Overview:
In Chapters 8–10, you will explore the important developmental milestones that occur during the early childhood (preschool) years. One of the most powerful tools for development during this stage is play. Play is how young children build physical strength and coordination, develop cognitive skills through exploration and problem-solving, and practice essential social-emotional interactions.
For this assignment, you will engage in a playful, hands-on activity using bubbles as a learning manipulative. By stepping into the shoes of a preschooler, you’ll experience firsthand how something as simple as bubbles can support physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development. You will then reflect on this experience to better understand how educators can intentionally use play to promote holistic growth.
Assignment Instructions:
- Gather your materials:
- You will need a bubble solution. You can:
- Buy bubbles from a store
- Make your own (Dawn dish soap and water work well; not all soaps produce good bubbles, FYI)
- Optional: Try using different tools to blow bubbles (wands, straws, rings, etc.).
- You will need a bubble solution. You can:
- Play like a preschooler:
- Go outdoors or use a large open space to mimic how bubbles might be used in a preschool sensory area.
- As you play, observe your own actions as if you were a young child:
- How do you explore the bubbles?
- What strategies or tools do you use to blow them?
- How does your body move?
- What types of thinking or questions might arise during the play?
- What would a preschooler say or do while engaging in this activity?
- What problem-solving, physical, or social-emotional skills are in action?
- Write your reflection:
- Submit a 1-page reflection (typed, double-spaced) that addresses:
- What physical skills were practiced (e.g., gross and fine motor)?
- What cognitive skills were engaged (e.g., problem-solving, discovery, trial and error)?
- What psychosocial skills were supported (e.g., confidence, emotion regulation, pretend play)?
- How play with bubbles helps support development in each domain (physical, cognitive, psychosocial).
- How this experience connects with course content from Chapters 8–10.
- Submit a 1-page reflection (typed, double-spaced) that addresses:
To-Do Checklist:
- Acquire or make a bubble solution
- Engage in bubble play (outdoors or in an open space)
- Reflect and take mental notes during the activity
- Write a 1-page reflection covering all three developmental domains
- Connect your experience to textbook concepts
- Submit your completed reflection to Canvas by than July 6.
Tips for Success:
- Think like a preschooler—imagine how a child would interact with the materials and environment.
- Be descriptive in your reflection—paint a picture of the play experience.
- Use specific terms and concepts from your textbook (e.g., Piaget’s stages, motor milestones, social play).
- Make connections to real-world teaching—how could you use this in a classroom?