The Exploration and Investigation area at Rainbow Nursery is always buzzing with activity. Children have access to a wide range of baskets of natural and man-made materials to sort, match and investigate. How they approach these investigations is left to them, but staff are always on hand to support, extend and document their learning. New baskets are introduced regularly to arouse curiosity and maintain children's interest.
Currently, children are fascinated with a basket of magnets of different shapes and sizes. Hayley Coatsworth and Kirsty Maine, nursery nurses, have been observing their investigations and documenting their learning.
'When we introduced a basket of magnets, many children were familiar with the fact that they would attract metal,' says Hayley. 'They decided for themselves that shiny things were made of metal and toured the nursery looking for things they thought would be attracted to the magnets. Their collection included silver foil, paper clips, brushes, spoons and keys.'
Planned learning intentions
To continue to be interested, excited and motivated to learn.
To use talk to clarify thinking, ideas, feelings and events.
To ask questions about why things happen and how things work.
To handle tools, objects, construction and malleable materials safely and with increasing control
Resources
Magnets of different shapes and sizes, including magnetic letters, numbers and whiteboards; storage basket; metal items such as spoons, paper clips, kitchen utensils, musical instruments; non-metal items such as wooden spoons, small cardboard boxes, plastic construction set components, conkers; items the children wish to investigate; mark-making materials to record findings.
Step by step
- We began by exploring the magnets in the basket and discussing similarities and differences. Some were larger and shaped like horseshoes, others were fixed on plastic handles and some were simple bars. Children discovered that magnets would 'stick' to one another but could also 'push away' from each other. We introduced the words 'repel' and 'attract'.
- One child commented that metal things would 'stick to' magnets, and so an interested group looked around the nursery and made a collection of things they thought the magnet would attract. They returned to the area to investigate their collection with the magnets.
- Tyler discovered that he could move a paper clip around the table with a magnet. He tried the magnet on the legs of the table and underneath. To his amazement, the paper clips on the table began to move as he moved the magnet. 'Look, it's magic,' he said with excitement. He then went around the nursery eagerly telling staff and children of his discovery.
- Thomas was fascinated with a plug and chain for a long time. He discovered the plug was not attracted to the magnet but he kept trying, as he had observed that the chain was. We talked about his discovery and why he thought the chain was attracted but the plug was not.
- James was fascinated by the magnetic letters on the metal whiteboard. He found the letters in his name and proudly arranged them on the board. He then arranged numerals from 1 to 10 in a row on the board.
- Christian also played with the magnetic letters but was more interested in things they would 'stick' to. He tried the table leg, his clothes and even his nose!
- We noted children's language and took photos of their involvement.
- We used the photographs to create a display so children could recall their discoveries and parents could read about the learning taking place and how this links with the EYFS.
- Motivation is still high and magnets are still popular items in our Exploration and Investigation area.
- As children become skilled in making their own choices, we find they are making suggestions about how they might learn more, such as by looking at books and visiting websites.
- It is interesting to note that it was mainly boys who became absorbed in this activity. Girls did visit and explore for a while but soon moved on. We plan to introduce ways of presenting opportunities that will develop their interest.
Kirsty Maine and Hayley Coatsworth are nursery nurses at Rainbow Nursery, Middleston Moor, County Durham. They spoke to Jean Evans.
