A project about magnets will often be part of a larger theme such as 'materials'. The project will offer many opportunities to develop children's understanding of the Knowledge and Understanding of the World aspect of 'exploration and investigation'.
When exploring magnetism with young children, the key concept is that magnets attract and repel other magnets and attract magnetic substances.
This force is called magnetism.
Practitioners need to provide fun, practical, 'hands on' activities in which children can find out about the properties of magnets and magnetic materials.
Adult-led
Powers of attraction
Explore magnetic and non-magnetic objects.
Key learning intentions
Investigate objects and materials by using all of their senses as appropriate
Find out about, and identify, some features of objects they observe
Extend their vocabulary, exploring the meaning of new words
Adult:child ratio 1 up to 6
Resources
Assorted strong magnets ,variety of objects, both metal and non-metal, such as: empty can, paper plate, conker, leaf, soft toy, pencil, wooden block, paper clips, metal and plastic rulers, alarm clock, keys, metal, plastic and wooden spoons, greetings cards ,two pieces of card, each with a picture of a magnet, one with a large 'tick' and the other with a large 'cross'. ,paper speech bubbles (drawn or created on computer).
Preparation
Set up an interactive display to support the investigation - including books, magnets and the assorted objects and materials presented in a wicker basket.
Activity content
* Discuss the objects and materials on the table. Find out what the children already know about magnets and their properties.
* Give the children opportunities to explore the magnets and the objects.
Encourage them to make predictions about which objects will be attracted by the magnets.
* Encourage the children to reach a conclusion about each object: 'Is it magnetic or not?' Create two sets of objects on the two pieces of card - one 'magnetic', the other 'non-magnetic'.
* Act as a scribe, writing children's comments about their investigations in speech bubbles.
Extending learning
Key vocabulary
Magnet, magnetic, non-magnetic, bar, horse-shoe, metal, metallic, non-metallic, attract, repel, force, set, same as, different from, similar Questions to ask
* If an object is attracted to one magnet, is it attracted to every magnet?
* What is the same about the objects that are attracted to the magnets?
* What are the objects that are attracted to a magnet made of?
* If the metal spoon is magnetic, are all spoons magnetic? If not, then why not?
* Are all metal objects magnetic?
* What happens if the ends of bar magnets are put near each other? Is it the same for both ends?
Extension activities
* Encourage the children to choose additional objects from the room and predict whether they are magnetic or non-magnetic, before testing to find out.
* Compare the strength of different magnets. How many magnetic discs or paper clips will each magnet hold?
* Investigate whether magnetism goes through materials. Place paper clips on a paper plate and move magnets underneath. What happens? Does magnetism work through a metal tray, a plastic tray, a table or water? Drop a paper clip in a glass of water. Hold a magnet against the glass and try sliding the paper clip to the top.
* Encourage the children to consider what other magnets can be found in the room - magnetic shapes, construction blocks, story props, letters and numbers, fishing games and so on.
Child-initiated learning
Supplement your permanent provision with project-related resources for the children to further explore the topic and extend their learning.
Sand Additional resources
Assorted strong magnets ,small metal objects such as nuts and bolts, steel washers, paper-clips, magnetic discs, badges, coins ,small non-metal objects such as corks, pebbles, buttons, beads ,jewellery boxes (treasure chests)
Possible learning experiences
* Exploring and comparing.
* Making sets of objects which are magnetic and non-magnetic.
* Discussing what is happening and why.
* Developing autonomy and independence.
* Handling materials and tools with increasing control.
The practitioner role
* Plan the experience and set it up in an attractive way.
* Encourage the children to search for 'buried treasure' using the magnets.
* Introduce and reinforce vocabulary.
* Support children's conversations, encouraging them to discuss what they are doing, what is happening and why.
* Promote children's autonomy through the independent use of materials.
Small-world play
Additional resources
Brio train set ,additional magnets
Possible learning experiences
* Making connections between the small-world provision and events in their own lives and those of familiar others.
* Exploring the way that the train engines and carriages join together, and are attracted or repelled.
* Using resources with increasing control.
* Using everyday words to describe position.
The practitioner role
* Ask questions: why do the engines and carriages stick together? What happens if you turn the carriages around? Can you make the train move using the magnets?
* Extend children's use of vocabulary.
Imaginative play
Additional resources
Magnetic fishing game (see resources) or ,shiny fabric to create 'water'
Possible learning experiences
* Developing motor skills by using the rods to 'fish'.
* Recognising numerals or counting the number of dots on the fish.
* Adding up scores.
* Noticing similarities and differences between the fish shapes.
* Investigating why the rods attract the fish shapes.
The practitioner role
* If no fishing game is available, create a simple one. Cut out assorted paper fish shapes and attach paper clips or magnetic strips. Write numerals, with dots, on the back of the fish shapes. Make 'fishing rods' by attaching small magnets to sticks with string.
* Create a 'pond' using attractive blue fabric on a table.
* Encourage the children to use the rods to 'fish'.
Judith Stevens is an early years adviser, Lewisham Education
Resources
* Magnetic blocks - 42 multi-coloured metal and plastic blocks, shapes and play people (21.95)
* Brio wooden railway (small set 44.95, large set 99.95)
* Very first magnet kit - includes 20 magnets, many accessories and ideas for activities (10)
* Magnetic counting chips - 500 translucent plastic discs (12.95) All available from GLS Supplies (020 8805 8333, www.glsed.co.uk)
* Magnetic shapes (8.99, Galt, 08451 203005, www.galt-educational.co.uk)
* Magnetic fishing game (5, Early Learning Centre, www.elc.co.uk)
* Science all around me: magnets by Karen Bryant-Mole (Heinemann, Pounds 5.99)
* Magnets by Peter Riley (Franklin Watts, 10.99)
* What is a magnet? by Jackie Holderness (Franklin Watts, 10.99)
* Magnets by Angela Royston (Heinemann, 5.99)
