3.3y–5y12 minDevelopmental playFamily timeBath time
Sink or Float: Because Talk
A simple water investigation where your child predicts, tests, and explains effects using ‘because’ language (e.g., heavy/light), strengthening listening attention and understanding through cause-and-effect talk.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a bowl/sink of water (adult supervised)
- 4-6 safe household test objects (e.g., sponge, plastic lid, small stone, coin, spoon, crumpled paper in a ball)
Nice to have
- a towel (for quick cleanup)
- paper and a crayon (to draw one ‘float’ and one ‘sink’ result after)
Movement level: low
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneExplains causesMind· 3.8y–4.6y· core· Steps 2, 3, 4
- MilestoneComplex connected sentencesMind· 4y–5y· core· Steps 2, 4
- MilestoneUses talk to organise, sequence and clarify thinking, ideas, feelings and events.Mind· 3.3y–5y· core· Steps 3, 4
- MilestoneTalks about own interests and ideasMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneSustains back-and-forth conversationMind· 3.3y–5y· core
- MilestoneFollows instructions with several steps or actionsMind· 3.3y–4y· stretch
What it practices
- Children follow instructions involving several ideas or actions. They answer ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions about their experiences and in response to stories or events.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Listens and responds to ideas expressed by others in conversation or discussion.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Responds to instructions involving a two-part sequence.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Help children to explain effect: ‘It sank because it was too heavy’”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)