How to support your child in playing successfully with water:
Give them space. Don’t ask a million questions, do not direct the play or micro manage spillage. It’s just water after all. Do not worry about regulating the amount of soap or water. That is not the point here. The goal is to allow them to engage in self-directed play. Give yourself permission to let your child use as much as they want. A little trick? Save old soap bottles and just fill them with about an inch of soap and the rest water. That way they can still make lots of soapy bubbles and you do not need to worry about wasting.
Do stay nearby, but be engaged in your own work. When they try to draw you in and ask you to play, simply say, “I am dong my work while you do yours.” Be nice, but boring. When they ask you questions and try to chat with you, act very interested in whatever you are doing.
I am providing a materials list for this project, but PLEASE do not feel that you need to buy anything. Be creative and use what you have around the house. Bins, buckets or the bathtub work!
If there is one thing you should buy if you don’t already have one, it is this water dispenser.
Why? It helps children be independent, and you don’t need to continually get up and retrieve more water. Using a self-serve jug encourages self-regulation. Children learn more and faster about how much soap and water they need when they can do it themselves.
If you want to create a home that is filled with play and creativity, the key is to let your child know how much you value the time and effort they spent playing.