Short description of the topic
In this activity, children view photos of children living in different circumstances around the world and think about the different availability of water for people in different parts of the world. They create a water area in the kindergarten and try to be more careful with water use.
Learning outcomes
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Competencies
- Social-emotional competence: empathy
- Observation of details
- Linguistic competences: describing and new vocabulary
- Critical thinking
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Target group
5 years and up- Whole class: discussion and creation of a water area
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Required materials
- Computer
- Printer
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Materials
- Examples of videos and photos on the Internet as a motivation for the conversation about the topic with the children:
- Video of a 13-year old Aysha, who travels 8 hours to get water: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teX2l_E40mw (English subtitles)
Download
(.pdf 168.44 KB)
Description of the activity (step by step)
Preparation:
Invite the children to view the video of Aysha and photos of children using water around the world on the internet. Encourage the children to describe what they see in the photo.
Discuss the photos together. Why do the children carry water in different containers? Why are they excited and happy when they see the taps open and water flowing?
Let the children describe their experience of their hygiene routine that requires water (brushing their teeth and washing their hands) at home and in kindergarten and drinking water at home and in kindergarten. Children compare their situation in which drinking water is available everywhere with the situation of children in the photos where there is a shortage of water.
Encourage children to think about how to save water in kindergarten and at home.
Implementation:
Create a water area in kindergarten together with the children. Let them paste photos, text, and sketches about saving water. In the washroom, at the time of washing, designate a "water caretaker" who reminds the children about saving water and reminds them of the photos in the corner.
In the water area, you can add illustrations of the water circle, the amount of water in the human body, and the importance of water for human health.
Reflection:
Variations and additional ideas
Invite the children to evaluate the influences of commercials, fashion trends, etc. critically. How are they connected to water use?
Use the possibilities the internet offers to introduce children to different topics through photographs, e.g. talk about the wonders of the world, natural disasters, or current topics of interest.
Background information and didactical perspective
We celebrate World Water Day since 1992 every year on the 22nd of March when it was selected at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the importance of drinking water and the sustainable use of groundwater.
Even in today's world, billions of people live without a safe supply of drinking water fighting for the existence and development of their households, schools, jobs, farms, and factories. Marginalized groups of people (women, children, refugees, indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, and many others) are often overlooked and sometimes face discrimination when attempting to access and manage their safe drinking water supply.
Most children in Europe have no experience of what it is like to have no water. Through the conversation with children, we learn about how they experience their peers who have no water and are delighted to get even a drop of water. We inspire environmental awareness and empathy.
Materials
Photos of the activity
