Air

Air is invisible, but children know it is there. Children can breathe in and out, fly kites in the wind, blow up balloons, and burst bubbles. Children can look up in wonder at aircraft flying in the sky.

Early childhood educators can teach children that air contains important substances, like oxygen and nitrogen, that keep us alive.

The educational benefits of air include sensory awareness.

EYLF learning outcomes

Air aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework as it is a material (4.4).

Learning experiences

Investigate air

How do we know that air is there, even though it is invisible? Brainstorm, test ideas, and write them down as a list. Your list might include blowing on the back of your hand, breathing in deeply, blowing bubbles, and blowing up a balloon and letting it go.

Babies will enjoy the sensory experience of air. How many different ways can your baby feel or see air?

Preschoolers will have in-depth questions about how air works. Let them find the answers through science experiments.

Hold a leaf-blowing race

Find large dry leaves. Each child has a leaf and blows it along the ground from a starting point to the finish line. Experiment with different types of leaves. Which ones move the easiest? Why?

Froth milk and whisk egg whites

Experiment with air in the kitchen. Use a coffee machine or portable milk frother to froth milk. Use electric beaters to whisk egg whites and make meringue.

Learn about air quality

Talk to your children about air quality and develop an action plan to improve the indoor air quality at your service. What little steps can you take to improve your environment?

Teach children that human behaviour can impact our world in positive and negative ways.

Play I spy in the sky

Go outside and look for things that float or fly through the air (e.g. planes, birds, leaves, feathers, insects, kites balloons). Why can some things move easily through air? Would you like to fly in the sky?