As part of our ongoing weather exploration, our Pre-Kindy children recently investigated the dramatic and exciting concepts of thunder and lightning. Building on their curiosity about different weather conditions, educators created an engaging hands-on experience that allowed children to see, hear, and feel what these natural phenomena might be like.
🌩️ Bringing Weather Indoors
To help children understand the sounds and lights associated with storms, educators transformed the classroom into a playful simulation of a thunderstorm (as shown in the photos on page 1 of the newsletter).
We:
- turned off the lights to create a dark, “stormy” atmosphere
- used wooden blocks to make loud rumbling sounds representing thunder
- created bright flashes using a flashlight to mimic lightning
The children were enthusiastic and fully immersed in the experience, eagerly watching the flashes and listening to the thunder-like sounds.
🔍 Learning Through Sensory Experience
This activity helped children:
- understand how thunder and lightning occur during storms
- develop sensory awareness through light and sound
- practice turn-taking and teamwork while creating storm effects
- build language skills as they described what they saw and heard
- engage in imaginative play and scientific thinking
The excitement on their faces showed how meaningful hands-on learning can be when exploring big, powerful weather events in a safe and child-friendly setting.
❤️ Supporting Curiosity Through Active Learning
At 1st Impressions ELC, we embrace children’s natural interests and transform them into rich learning opportunities. Through activities like this, children gain confidence, develop understanding of the world, and enjoy memorable shared experiences with their peers.
