While presenting an activity such as magnetic and non-magnetic, it’s important to use simple words and vocabulary. For example, you can introduce a magnet to them while focusing on the vocabulary word, magnet. You can also say magnetic and non-magnetic, as well as sticky; something will “stick” to the magnet if it is magnetic or it will not stick to the magnet if it’s non-magnetic.
You can also explain north and south. Every magnet has a north and a south pole and if you have two magnets you can see how they move away from each other with force, if the same pole touches. North-north repel and south-south repel but north-south stick together.
With the classic Montessori activity, magnetic and non-magnetic, we sort regular objects into piles; a pile of objects that stick to the magnet (magnetic) and a pile of objects that do not stick to the magnet (non-magnetic). This is a great beginning lesson for preschoolers to explore with magnets hands-on.
While we were sorting the objects in piles, Annie was so excited when something was magnetic and she said “yay, it sticks!” with a big smile. She didn’t always sort the right object under the right pile. I didn’t correct her. I just let her explore with the magnet and the objects.
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That’s so awesome! We’re definitely going to try painting with magnets.
Just love these ideas of magnet activity, they let kids play and learn simultaneously.
I love this activity. Thank you, will be doing this with my daughter 💖
such a fun way to learn scientific concepts.. play and learning together is always the best
Kids are guaranteed fascinated with magnets. It is a great activity to feed their curious minds and fun at the same time.
This is such a fun lesson. I need to set it up for my daughter.
I bet my daughter would love this! Thanks for the idea!
This is a neat way to get kids to using their motor skills and learning. These are neat toys!
This looks like such great activities. Will be making sure I try the magnet painting with my kiddos!
Magnets are already such a fun activity, but adding paint to it adds another element to it!
Fantastic lesson, thank you! Adding to my list of ideas to do with my daughter.