When rain falls, children notice. It shapes their play and environment. It reminds them the world can be fierce, tranquil or magical.
Children across Australia have different experiences with rain: monsoons, storms, flooding or drought. When early childhood educators incorporate weather into their projects, they should first consider the season and their community's climate. What do families and children know about rain? What do they expect and want rain to do?
EYLF learning outcomes
The Early Years Learning Framework encourages children to connect with natural materials like water (4.4), become socially responsible, and show respect for the environment (2.4).
Learning experiences
Teach rain appreciation through creativity
Encourage children to think and feel deeply about rain, and then express their ideas through creative arts. See Conversations with Rain by AGWA for inspiration.
- What happens when you breathe while standing in the rain? What does rain smell and taste like? Turn the children's answers into poems.
- Make rain sounds using pencils on paper. Do the marks look like raindrops? Dance to those sounds.
- Why is rain important to you? Make a poster to tell others about this.
Design an umbrella
Teach children about waterproof fabrics by giving them a variety of materials, some waterproof and some not. Encourage children to test the fabrics by pouring water on one side and observing if it passes through, or gathers on top. Which fabric would you use to make a raincoat or umbrella?
Resources
Picture books
- The Waterhole by Graeme Base
- Thank You Rain! by Sally Morgan and Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr
- Flood by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley
- Drought by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley
- Mallee Sky by Jodi Toering and Tannya Harricks
- All I Want for Christmas is Rain by Cori Brooke and Megan Forward
Music
Amber Lawrence: Rain dance
Websites
National Geographic:
Bureau of Meteorology: Understanding drought and What is drought?