Preschool Science Experiment STEM - Chinese Lava

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Make science fun and exciting for kids by doing a simple yet awesome STEM home activity. Check out the Chinese lava, a preschool science experiment for kids.

Many people think that children are capable of building and learning the necessary skills by themselves. There are some things we are all born with and others we must develop after being born. If these skills are not considered and taught correctly, children may possibly grow up without the skills they need later on in life. That is why the Montessori learning method is based mainly on free, autonomous, and independent learning. With the help of adults to guide them, children become the central character in their learning process.

Children unconsciously perceive all the stimuli that the environment offers to them. It is here where the adult plays a vital role since he/she must facilitate an adequate interaction of children with the environment.

They can have everything children need available for their proper development, strengthening, and acquisition of new knowledge. Having this in mind, the adult is the one who provides the materials and facilitates each of the stimuli.

Still, above all, he/she is the one who helps organize the child’s thinking.

With their absorbing mind, as María Montessori named it, they perceive all the information, but in a disorderly way. It is in this process that the adult must support them.

Considering these basic principles, many activities can be carried out with children. These activities promote autonomy and independence, motivate creativity, and desire to know more, strengthen understanding and observation, and appropriately.

All of this can be performed through the application of scientific experiments with children like in this preschool science experiment.

THEME: PRESCHOOL SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

HOW DO WE DO THIS ACTIVITY?

Topic: Scientific experiments

Age: 4-6-year-old children

Goal: Through this preschool science experiment activity, children will strengthen their ability to observe and explore their environment and they will develop their scientific thinking.

Difficulty level: Advanced. This preschool science experiment activity is designed for boys and girls to carry out autonomously by following instructions in an adult’s surveillance.

Skills:

Creativity
Curiosity
Autonomy
Self-reliance
Following instructions
Eye-Hand coordination
Analysis
Scientific thinking

MATERIALS

Food coloring
Effervescent tablets
Food oil
Water
Glass container (jar)

ACTIVITY DEVELOPMENT

(ADULT SUPERVISION)

Step 1:

Pour the water into the glass bottle.

Step 2:

Add the food coloring and mix.

Step 3:

Add oil to the mixture.

Step 4:

Finally, insert the two effervescent tablets and observe the result. (Adult supervision)

ACTIVITY RESULT

Preschool science experiment: Lava using different materials

Lava preschool science experiment using different materials

FREE PRINTABLE WORKSHEETS FOR PRESCHOOLERS

Click the link below to download and print the Chinese lava preschool science experiment worksheets for kids.

Download the Free Printable Chinese Lava Worksheets

HOW DO WE DO THIS ACTIVITY WITH CHILDREN OF DIFFERENT AGES?

CHANGES FOR CHILDREN UNDER 4 YEARS OLD

This preschool science experiment activity can be done with younger children. To reduce this activity’s difficulty level, you can a funnel can be included in the materials. That will make it easier for children to add each of the materials to the container without spilling them. However, the adult can help in this process if children are not yet old enough to have mastered this skill. In this way, a science activity will be carried out according to the development and abilities of children.(ADULT SUPERVISION AND HELP)

MODIFICATIONS FOR CHILDREN OVER 6 YEARS OLD

This preschool science experiment activity can be developed with older children. To increase this activity’s difficulty level and make it more interesting, you can use an LED lamp. Turn off all the house lights and place the lamp under the experiment, and it becomes a lava lamp. In this way, a kid activity will be carried out according to the development and abilities of children.

VIDEO DESCRIPTION – CHINESE LAVA PRESCHOOL SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

In this preschool science experiment video, you will find the step by step of activity “CHINESE LAVA,” designed for 4-6-year-old children. They will experiment by creating a volcano or a lava lamp. This science activity will allow children to develop different skills such as creativity, curiosity, autonomy, self-reliance, following instructions, Eye-Hand coordination, analysis and scientific thinking. The materials are food coloring, effervescent tablets, food oil, water, a glass container like a jar.(ADULT SUPERVISION)

Do you like this preschool science experiment activity? Make sure to check out our other STEM science experiments for kids.

Here’s an awesome home activity, Floating Hearts STEM Science Experiment Valentines Day Activities for Kids (4-6 Year Olds) Montessori Activity with Free Printable Worksheets
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Give kids fun activity to do. Check out this Thanksgiving Cranberry Jelly Sauce Easy Science Experiment for Kids (4-6 Year Olds)
Let kids have fun with the Halloween Floating Spiders Science Experiment for Kids (4-6 Years Old)

Get super cute dragon outfit for your little ones, check out this dragon and butterflies bodysuit.

I’d like to know what you think of our preschool science experiment activity. Please leave a comment below.

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Liliana

Liliana is a Licensed Montessori teacher known for her passion and dedication to education. She's been a teacher in the United States for many years, and she truly believes that education is the key to making the world a better place because today's students are tomorrow's leaders. Her experience with Toddlers, Beginners, VPK with Montessori methodology approach; Kindergarten, and first grade made her an authority and trusted resource. Liliana's family taught her important qualities like love, a positive attitude, strong motivation, and leadership. These values have guided her on her journey to becoming a professional and expert teacher. Her mission is to help children grow and contribute to a brighter future for the country.