Infant & Toddler Problem Solving with Chutes & Silos

Child experimenting with chutes
Child experimenting with chutes
Child experimenting with chutes
Child experimenting with chutes

Chutes & Silos is a physical science activity involving clear acrylic tubes and a variety of objects such as balls, cylinders, natural materials, and found objects for infants and toddlers to explore by tipping, rolling, bouncing, throwing, and moving.

Experiences with these open-ended materials help young children investigate the physical properties of objects and build the basis for inquiry, analysis, and logical thought. Infants and toddlers learn when they produce an action with objects, the result of their action is immediate and observable, and there is something for the infant and toddler to vary. With these materials, infants and toddlers will have opportunities to compare objects, explore space, use objects as tools, track objects in space, look for missing objects, and construct relationships that build a foundation for later physical science concepts.

The content of the presentation includes: (1) exploring the ways that teachers can facilitate STEM learning with infants and toddlers by choosing open-ended materials that allow exploration and problem solving; 2) the importance of nurturing the natural “scientist” in very young children by supporting their pursuit of new understandings and fostering their endless curiosity; 3) providing multiple opportunities for young children to explore the properties and functions of objects in order to nurture the development of STEM learning dispositions; and 4) a description of activities that will help very young children to focus and build stamina for learning while stimulating their developing brains and refining sensory and movement systems.

Workshop format:  face-to-face

Length of workshop:  3 hours

Number of participants:  limited to 24

To view the experience sheet for this workshop, please click here.