The power of water

The Children’s Discovery Center, located at Convict Hill, and the Discovery School Explorers

at Spicewood Springs, feature a well-thought-out addition of a pool on-site. This is a rare feature for most preschool experiences, but just like being surrounded by nature is intentional, so is the pool feature.

Water play is a powerful, multisensory experience that supports development in children from infancy through the preschool years. Whether it’s a baby splashing in a shallow basin or a preschooler swimming with confidence, water play provides essential opportunities for learning and growth.

Even from infancy, water play invites children to observe, experiment, and problem solve.

For infants and toddlers, watching water drip, splash, or ripple builds early cause-and-effect understanding. Young children (ages 3-5) have more complex thinking that emerges as children explore floating/sinking, temperature, measurement, and water flow.

Water play also supports gross and fine motor skills across early developmental stages.

For infants, tummy time near shallow water, kicking in the tub, or reaching for floating toys helps strengthen muscles and coordination. Our toddlers are pouring, scooping, squeezing sponges and toys, and climbing in/out of small water areas to build balance and dexterity. Preschool-aged children swim, wade, or use water tools to enhance coordination, core strength, and body awareness. Children who participate in early swim programs show better posture, balance, and gross motor development (Jorgensen and Brown, 2007)

Water is naturally calming, helping children regulate their emotions and build social connections. From infancy, gentle splashing or shared bath time builds trust and attachment with caregivers. Collaborative water play promotes sharing, turn-taking, and cooperative problem-solving. Water-based sensory play is especially beneficial for children with emotional or sensory regulation needs (Case-Smith and Arbesman, 2008)

Water play fosters communication across all age groups. For infants and toddlers, water play with a caregiver includes cooing, babbling, and early sound imitation. Toddlers and preschoolers describe what they’re doing, ask questions, and engage in imaginary play; their vocabulary and expressive language grow.

From splashing in a water table to learning to swim, water play provides rich, meaningful learning experiences from infancy through age 5. It supports early brain development, builds motor and language skills, fosters social emotional learning, and offers therapeutic sensory benefits. By embracing water play as a core part of early childhood education, families and educators can tap into one of the most engaging and developmentally supportive forms of play.