There’s something magical about children learning through their own curiosity and interests. Recently, one of our preschool friends brought in a special toy he called a "grow guy" and was eager to share it with his peers. Naturally, the "grow guy" became the centerpiece of the morning meeting, transforming it into a hands-on learning opportunity for everyone.
During the meeting, our friend explained that the "grow guy"—an octopus toy—would expand when submerged in water. To make it a shared experience, each child was invited to touch and pass the octopus around, allowing them to explore its texture up close.
Next, we discussed predictions. How much would the octopus grow? Each child made their own hypothesis. To add a layer of scientific inquiry, we measured the toy with a ruler to establish a baseline measurement. This gave us a reference point as we eagerly waited to see the results.
Together, the students found the perfect spot to place the octopus in water, setting it up for observation. During indoor playtime, the children checked on their new aquatic friend, excited to see if any changes had occurred. Their curiosity deepened as they watched and wondered.
When we returned after the weekend, we were greeted with an exciting discovery—the octopus had grown significantly! Thrilled, the children couldn’t wait to share the news with their peers. But the surprises didn’t stop there. As we observed the octopus, the children noticed something unexpected: one of the tentacles hadn’t grown as much as the others. This sparked even more questions and discussions.
This hands-on exploration gave the children valuable opportunities to make predictions, observe changes, and reflect on outcomes—essential skills in scientific inquiry. The experiment also ignited a deeper curiosity about octopuses. For example, did you know that an octopus has nine brains and three hearts?
We’re thrilled to continue this journey of discovery as we dive deeper into the fascinating world of octopuses in the coming weeks.
