Pre-Writers Club: Oobleck

Physical Development - Moving and Handling (30-50 months):

Draws lines and circles using gross motor movements.

(40-60+ months):

Begins to use anticlockwise movement and retrace vertical lines.

What you need:

Oobleck is sometimes knows as gloop. It is an non-Newtonian fluid, which means it isn't a liquid or a solid. I LOVE the feel of oobleck. It turns into a solid when you squeeze it but pours through your fingers when you hold it still. It can be messy so it is a good idea to use a wipeable tablecloth underneath.

To make the oobleck, you need to mix some 2 cups of cornflour with 1 cup of cold water. If it is too thick and won't drip add some more water and if it is too runny add some more cornflour. You are looking for a consistency that you can squeeze to make a ball but is gloopy enough to scoop up with spoons. You could add pink food colouring and glitter for a Valentine's Day theme. Add the food colouring to the water before you mix the cornflour in.

Sophie loved scooping the oobleck and letting it drip off the spoon. We also used paint scrapers and some kitchen utensils to make patterns in the oobleck.

Pre-writing shape - If you put the oobleck on a baking tray you could encourage your child to make marks or draw shapes in the oobleck.

Pre-writing shapes are a key component of the pre-writing skills. Children need to be able to form these strokes as a precursor to writing letters and numbers. You can support your child by modelling how to draw the shapes using a top-to-bottom and left-to-right approach, because this is how letters are typically formed.

If you have a go at this activity and share any photos on social media I would love to see them. Please tag @miniwritersclub and let me know how you get on.

Anna