Junior Infants have been busy exploring the wonderful world of water, and their learning linked beautifully with our SESE, SPHE, and Oral Language objectives.
We began by discussing where we find water in our homes, school, and community. Through stories and group chats, the children identified all the ways we use water – from drinking and washing to helping plants grow. This connected well with our SPHE strand "Myself and My Community", helping the children understand how water plays an important role in keeping us and our environment healthy.
As part of our Science curriculum, we explored dissolving by testing different materials in water. The children made predictions, carried out investigations, and observed what happened when substances like salt, sugar, and flour were added to water. This supported their learning in the "Materials" strand, encouraging early scientific thinking and language such as “predict,” “observe,” and “change.”
One of the week’s highlights was our exciting experiment to help Bob the Teddy! He needed waterproof boots for a rainy day, so we investigated which materials would keep his feet dry. The children used problem-solving skills, designed fair tests, and worked together to test fabric, plastic, paper, and foil. This tied in beautifully with STEM learning and promoted the idea of learning through inquiry and exploration.
There were rich oral language opportunities throughout, as children shared ideas, asked questions, and reflected on their discoveries. The learning was highly child-led, with pupils driving the questions and choosing how to test their ideas.
It was a week full of curiosity, creativity, and discovery — a perfect example of how playful exploration builds deep understanding in our youngest learners. Well done, Junior Infants!