This Reception states of matter science unit introduces children to solids, liquids and gases through practical investigations, observation and play. Children explore how different materials behave, investigate melting and temperature and begin to notice how materials can change.
Activities include sorting solids, liquids and gases, making oobleck, melting ice, using thermometers and stopwatches, observing chocolate as it melts and cools and investigating floating and sinking. Throughout the unit, children ask questions, make predictions, use simple equipment and talk about what they observe.
The unit supports The Natural World by giving children opportunities to explore materials, observe changes, investigate the effects of heating and cooling and talk about what they notice through first-hand experiences.
States of Matter is part of our wider Reception science curriculum, giving children practical experience of observing materials and changes while developing questioning, testing, measuring and recording skills that provide foundations for science in Year 1 and beyond.
States of Matter introduces Reception children to some of the ways materials behave and change through practical, age-appropriate science. Rather than learning definitions in isolation, children investigate solids, liquids and gases through water, ice, air, oobleck, chocolate and familiar everyday objects.
Children explore examples of solids, liquids and gases and compare how they behave. They sort materials, investigate how water takes the shape of different containers and explore air using balloons, helping them begin to recognise differences between the three states of matter.
Making oobleck gives children an opportunity to encounter a material that does not behave quite as they might expect. They pour, squeeze and manipulate the mixture and use I wonder why…? questions to talk about their observations and develop their scientific curiosity.
Children use thermometers and timers during a melting ice investigation. They compare ice placed in water at different temperatures, observe the change from solid ice to liquid water and begin to use simple equipment as part of a practical scientific test.
A melting chocolate investigation helps children look closely at changes caused by warming and cooling. Children observe solid chocolate melting, predict what will happen when it is cooled and use a stopwatch and recording sheet to observe changes over time.
Children predict whether different objects will float or sink before testing them in water and recording the results. They investigate how air can move floating objects and make model boats from different materials, exploring how an object’s material and shape can affect what happens in water.
The Reception States of Matter unit includes practical science investigations, lesson plans and resources including:
Explore the wider Reception science curriculum and scheme, or see our complete primary science scheme of work.
