OBSA — Week 3 (Littles): Splash & Play
Our Big Summer Adventure · Week 3 · Littles (2–3.5)

Week 3 — Splash & Play

A gentle week of water play — pouring, splashing, and sponges — that ends with a happy little Splash Day. June 15–19 · Littles classroom, ages 2–3.5.

Read this first

This guide pairs with the General Planning Guide and applies Splash & Play to the Littles (2–3.5) daily schedule. Littles are parallel players with short attention spans, so this week is sensory and gentle — each child gets their own water play, and Friday is a happy little Splash Day, not a big production. Heads up — the morning order changed: children now come in from outside straight to Circle Time, then handwash, then snack. Start with the prep block below, then run the days.

Section 1 · The Overview

Week Snapshot

Theme
Splash & Play
Anchor
Splash Day — a gentle Friday water-play celebration where every child splashes, pours, and plays in their own way.
Classroom
Littles · ages 2–3.5 · the Littles daily schedule (outside first, now circle before snack)
Dates
June 15–19, 2026 (Monday–Friday)
Parent-facing hook
"We're splashing into summer! A gentle week of water play — pouring, sponges, and giggles — ending with a happy Splash Day."
Developmental value
Sensory exploration, fine motor (pour/squeeze), simple routines, joyful regulation.
Logistics
In-house · Phase: Build momentum · Cost: $30–60 · Ops complexity: Low–Medium (water + safety)
EF lens this week
Working Memory  Pitched very light for this age — just a familiar one-step routine and a song they remember. Notice it and smile; don't coach hard.
Section 2 · Start Here

Before You Run the Week

How this guide works, the (very light) skill we're watching for, and what to prep. Read these first; the five days follow.

How to use this guide. Each day below is the full run-sheet — every block of the Littles schedule, in order, so you can print one day and run it from the page. Transitions and fixed blocks are kept brief; the flex blocks carry the detail.

The 📸 Brightwheel moments are built in. Look for the warm camera callout inside each day — it sits on the block where the photo happens, with the shot to grab and a ready-to-post caption. Snap it, post it that day.

New morning order. Children come in from Outdoor Play to Circle Time (8:50–9:00), then handwash (9:00–9:15), then Morning Snack (9:15–9:35). Circle first, snack after — that's the schedule going forward.

Printing. Use your browser's Print — each day breaks cleanly onto its own sheet.

Section 3 · The Lens

This Week's EF Lens — Working Memory (gently)

Just a little something held in mind

For a 2- or 3-year-old, working memory is brand new and tiny. It looks like remembering one simple step ("squeeze the sponge"), recognizing a song we sang yesterday, or knowing where the towels live. That's it — we are not running memory games.

Your whole job is to notice it and smile. When a Little remembers a one-step routine or finishes the line of a familiar song, name it warmly: "You remembered!" Keep it light, repetitive, and joyful. Repetition all week is what makes a small memory stick.

Watch for it when a Little…

  • Does a simple one-step action you showed them (squeeze, pour) without a reminder.
  • Lights up at a song from earlier in the week and tries the motions.
  • Goes to the right spot for towels or their water cup.
Section 4 · Prep

Before the Week

Water + this age = more towels than you think. Get these set over the weekend or Monday morning.

Water-safety plan + ratios
Confirm supervision/ratio rules for water play with a lead, checked against licensing, before Monday.
Sun protection
Sunscreen on file for every child; hats and shade ready for the 8:30 morning window.
Simple water tools
Lots of cups, sponges, small pitchers, and shallow bins — enough that no one waits to splash.
Towels + dry changes
A labeled dry change for every child and a big stack of towels. Send a parent reminder Sunday.
Non-slip + footing
Mats or a textured surface where water lands; plan to keep the splash zone from getting slick.
Water songs
Pick 2–3 simple, repeatable water songs with motions to sing all week.
Heat plan
Know your hot-day fallback for the afternoon Outdoor Activity (3:50) — shaded, short, or indoors.
Splash Day plan
Keep Friday simple: a few water spots, gentle music, and lots of supervision. No stations to run.
Section 5 · Supplies

Supplies — Check & Request

Scan this against what's already in the room. Anything you're short on, send the checked list to Amy early — furniture & equipment especially, since those have the longest lead time — so it's ordered and ready before Monday. Items marked (parent) are family-supplied. This is the gentle Littles version: simple water play and a happy Splash Day, so keep it light.

Furniture & Equipment · order early

  • Low, shallow water/sensory bins (toddler height)3–4
  • Gentle sprinkler (Splash Day, optional)1
  • Shade canopy / umbrellasas needed
  • Drying rack or clothesline1
  • Non-slip mats for the splash zone2–3
  • Lidded bin for wet gear2

Water-Play Materials

  • Big soft sponges1/child + extra
  • Plastic cups12+
  • Small watering cans ("rain")2
  • Small pitchers / scoops4–6
  • Floating bath toyshandful
  • Small buckets4

Craft

  • Washable paint (blue + set)set
  • Small sponges (stamping)8–10
  • Thick paper1 ream
  • Sturdy cups (Decorate My Cup)1/child + extra
  • Stickerspacks
  • Washable markersset
  • Smocks1/child

Per-Child & Consumables

  • Change of clothes (parent)1–2/child
  • Towels2/child + extra
  • Sunscreen (check stock)2–3
  • Sun hats (parent / spares)spares
  • Gallon zip bags (wet clothes)1/child
  • Paper towels2–3 rolls

Safety & Cleanup

  • Toy & bin sanitizer1
  • First-aid kit (check / restock)1
  • Trash bags1 box
  • Hand soap refill1
Section 6 · The Week

The Week Builds Toward Friday

A gentle, sensory arc — meet the water, try a simple skill, sing and splash, get ready, then a happy Splash Day. No cooperative project; each Little plays their own way.

Section 7 · The Skeleton

The Daily Rhythm

Every day runs the identical clock, carried in full in each day plan below. Four blocks are fixed — snack, lunch, nap, afternoon snack. Everything else is flex.

A note on the new morning and the water. Littles go outside first (8:30–8:50) — the cool window, where the water anchor lives — then come in to Circle Time (8:50–9:00, a tight 10 minutes), handwash (9:00–9:15), and Morning Snack (9:15–9:35). Circle now comes before snack. The afternoon Outdoor Activity (3:50–4:20) is hot — keep it light or move it inside. Towels and a dry change after the morning water block keep snack cozy, not soggy.
Section 8 · The Plans

Five Days, Fully Planned

Each day is the full run-sheet — every block of the Littles schedule, in order. The 📸 Brightwheel moment is tucked into the block where it happens.

Day1
Monday
Meet the Water
Free splashing and pouring — pure sensory joy, no agenda.
6:30–8:30

Combined arrival care. All classrooms together — soft play and books until the Littles room opens.

8:30–8:50
Outdoor Play · Free Water Splash (anchor)

Sunscreen and hats at the door, then water in shallow bins with cups and sponges. No plan — just splash, pour, and feel it. Stay close, narrate warmly ("so splashy!"), and keep the footing safe.

Materials — shallow bins, cups, sponges, towels nearby.

📸 Brightwheel moment
Shot: a Little's delighted, splashy face at the water bin — droplets flying.
Splash week is here! 💦 We met the water today with cups, sponges, and lots of giggles. Pure sensory joy (and only a little bit soggy 😄).
8:50–9:00
Circle Time (10 min)

Come in from the water for a tight, cheerful circle. A hello song, a peek at the picture schedule, and one water song to start the week. Ten minutes is plenty.

We splashed in the water! Now let's sing our water song together.
9:00–9:15

Handwash / bathroom. Towel off, dry hands — wash up for snack.

9:15–9:35
Fixed
Morning Snack

A calm, cozy snack after the splashy morning.

9:35–10:00
Craft / Tables · Water Stamps

Wet sponges and washable paint to stamp and dab on paper. A gentle, sensory craft with table toys alongside for those who'd rather build.

10:00–10:15

Handwash / bathroom. Quick wash and reset.

10:15–10:25
Music & Movement · Water Song

Sing the morning's water song again with simple motions (sprinkle fingers, big splash). Repetition is the whole point at this age.

10:25–11:00
Centers / Free Choice

Open centers with a watery touch — sea animals in the sensory table, water books, boats in blocks. Parallel play, child's pace.

11:00–11:15

Handwash / bathroom. Wash up for lunch.

11:15–11:55
Fixed
Lunch

A calm, social meal.

11:55–12:10

Handwash / bathroom. Wind-down begins.

12:10–12:30
Free Choice & Closing Circle

Quiet free play that settles into a soft closing circle — a calm song to ready bodies for nap.

12:30–3:00
Fixed
Nap / Quiet Time

A full 2.5-hour nap. Soothe and settle.

3:00–3:30

Wake-up · handwash / bathroom. Slow, gentle waking.

3:30–3:50
Fixed
Afternoon Snack

Refuel after nap.

3:50–4:20
Outdoor Activity / Play (hot window)

Peak heat — keep it light and shaded. Gentle shade play or a cool water-cup moment; short is fine, indoors on a hot day.

4:20–4:35

Handwash / bathroom. Tidy hands and faces.

4:35–4:50

Cleanup & room reset. Everyone helps with the cleanup song.

4:50–5:00
Closing Circle

A short goodbye song and a wave. "We splashed today!" Send them off happy.

5:00–6:00

Combined Active Engagement — Departure. Classrooms combine; soft play and warm handoffs.

Day2
Tuesday
Squeeze & Pour
One simple skill — fill the sponge, squeeze it out.
6:30–8:30

Combined arrival care. Soft welcome until the Littles room opens.

8:30–8:50
Outdoor Play · Sponge Squeeze (anchor)

Today, one gentle skill: fill a sponge, then squeeze it out. Show it once, then let each Little try at their own pace. No relay, no rush — just the satisfying squeeze.

Materials — big soft sponges, bins, cups, towels.

✦ Working Memory (gently) — some Littles will remember "squeeze!" from your demo and do it themselves. Smile and name it: "You remembered!"
📸 Brightwheel moment
Shot: two little hands squeezing a fat sponge, water streaming out.
Squeeze! 🧽 Today we practiced filling sponges and squeezing them out — tricky little hands hard at work. Great for fine motor (and endlessly fun).
8:50–9:00
Circle Time (10 min)

Hello song, picture schedule, and our water song. Hold up a sponge and squeeze it as a giggle — tying circle to the morning.

9:00–9:15

Handwash / bathroom. Towel off, wash up for snack.

9:15–9:35
Fixed
Morning Snack

Cozy snack after the morning.

9:35–10:00
Craft / Tables · Sponge Painting

Dab paint with little sponges — the same squeeze-and-press motion as outside, now making color. Table toys alongside.

10:00–10:15

Handwash / bathroom. Quick wash and reset.

10:15–10:25
Music & Movement · Water Song + Motions

Sing the water song; add a "squeeze" motion with both hands. Repeating yesterday's song builds that warm familiarity.

10:25–11:00
Centers / Free Choice

Add a dry sponge-and-bin to the sensory area for indoor squeezing. Parallel play, child's pace.

11:00–11:15

Handwash / bathroom. Wash up for lunch.

11:15–11:55
Fixed
Lunch

Calm, social meal.

11:55–12:10

Handwash / bathroom. Wind-down begins.

12:10–12:30
Free Choice & Closing Circle

Quiet free play softening into a calm closing song before nap.

12:30–3:00
Fixed
Nap / Quiet Time

Full nap. Soothe and settle.

3:00–3:30

Wake-up · handwash / bathroom. Gentle waking.

3:30–3:50
Fixed
Afternoon Snack

Refuel after nap.

3:50–4:20
Outdoor Activity / Play (hot window)

Peak heat — light and shaded. Quiet shade play or cool cups; short on a hot day, indoors if needed.

4:20–4:35

Handwash / bathroom. Tidy hands and faces.

4:35–4:50

Cleanup & room reset. Cleanup song; everyone helps.

4:50–5:00
Closing Circle

Goodbye song and a sponge-squeeze wave. Off they go.

5:00–6:00

Combined Active Engagement — Departure. Soft combined play and warm handoffs.

Day3
Wednesday
Sing & Splash
Water songs with motions, right while we play.
6:30–8:30

Combined arrival care. Soft welcome until the Littles room opens.

8:30–8:50
Outdoor Play · Sing-and-Splash (anchor)

Bring the water songs outside. Sing as we splash — "rain rain" while we sprinkle water, a big "SPLASH!" on cue. Joyful, silly, and full of the day's familiar songs.

Materials — bins, cups, sponges, a small watering can for "rain."

✦ Working Memory (gently) — Littles who know the song will sing along and do the motions from memory. Beam and join in.
📸 Brightwheel moment
Shot: Littles mid-song with hands up for the big "SPLASH!" — mouths open, joyful.
🎶💦 We sang AND splashed today! Our water songs came outside with us — "rain, rain" and a big splash on cue. Music + water + giggles = the best kind of morning.
8:50–9:00
Circle Time (10 min)

Hello song, picture schedule, and a full sing of the water songs we just played with outside.

9:00–9:15

Handwash / bathroom. Towel off, wash up for snack.

9:15–9:35
Fixed
Morning Snack

Cozy snack, maybe humming the song.

9:35–10:00
Craft / Tables · Rain Pictures

Blue dots and dripping lines to make "rain." Loose and sensory; table toys alongside.

10:00–10:15

Handwash / bathroom. Quick wash and reset.

10:15–10:25
Music & Movement · Splash Freeze

A gentle freeze dance — dance, then "SPLASH and freeze!" A first, playful taste of stop-on-cue.

10:25–11:00
Centers / Free Choice

Watery centers continue; add instruments near the sensory table so songs and water mingle.

11:00–11:15

Handwash / bathroom. Wash up for lunch.

11:15–11:55
Fixed
Lunch

Calm, social meal.

11:55–12:10

Handwash / bathroom. Wind-down begins.

12:10–12:30
Free Choice & Closing Circle

Soft play into a calm closing song before nap.

12:30–3:00
Fixed
Nap / Quiet Time

Full nap.

3:00–3:30

Wake-up · handwash / bathroom. Gentle waking.

3:30–3:50
Fixed
Afternoon Snack

Refuel.

3:50–4:20
Outdoor Activity / Play (hot window)

Peak heat — light and shaded; a song in the shade, short on a hot day.

4:20–4:35

Handwash / bathroom. Tidy hands and faces.

4:35–4:50

Cleanup & room reset. Cleanup song; everyone helps.

4:50–5:00
Closing Circle

Goodbye song — sing the splash one more time and wave.

5:00–6:00

Combined Active Engagement — Departure. Soft combined play and warm handoffs.

Day4
Thursday
Get Ready
Decorate a cup; practice our happy splash routine.
6:30–8:30

Combined arrival care. Soft welcome until the Littles room opens.

8:30–8:50
Outdoor Play · Splash Day Practice (anchor)

A relaxed run of everything we love — pour, squeeze, sing, splash — so tomorrow feels familiar. Talk it up gently: "Tomorrow is our Splash Day!" Keep it joyful and low-key.

Materials — all the water tools, plus the cups decorated indoors today.

✦ Working Memory (gently) — notice Littles who head straight for a favorite from earlier in the week — that's memory and preference taking shape.
📸 Brightwheel moment
Shot: a Little proudly holding their decorated water cup, ready for tomorrow.
Almost Splash Day! 🥤💦 We decorated our very own water cups and practiced all our favorite water play. Come share in the fun at Friday pickup — bring a towel!
8:50–9:00
Circle Time (10 min)

Hello song, picture schedule, and a happy "tomorrow is Splash Day!" with our water song.

9:00–9:15

Handwash / bathroom. Towel off, wash up for snack.

9:15–9:35
Fixed
Morning Snack

Cozy snack.

9:35–10:00
Craft / Tables · Decorate My Cup

Each Little decorates a cup with stickers for tomorrow's Splash Day. Their own special cup — simple and proud.

Materials — sturdy cups, stickers, washable markers.

10:00–10:15

Handwash / bathroom. Quick wash and reset.

10:15–10:25
Music & Movement · The Whole Song Set

Sing all the week's water songs together — a gentle rehearsal for tomorrow's soundtrack.

10:25–11:00
Centers / Free Choice

Calm, familiar centers. The pretend water table is open for those who want to keep playing.

11:00–11:15

Handwash / bathroom. Wash up for lunch.

11:15–11:55
Fixed
Lunch

Calm, social meal.

11:55–12:10

Handwash / bathroom. Wind-down begins.

12:10–12:30
Free Choice & Closing Circle

Soft play into a calm closing song before nap.

12:30–3:00
Fixed
Nap / Quiet Time

Full nap.

3:00–3:30

Wake-up · handwash / bathroom. Gentle waking.

3:30–3:50
Fixed
Afternoon Snack

Refuel.

3:50–4:20
Outdoor Activity / Play (hot window)

Peak heat — light and shaded; short on a hot day.

4:20–4:35

Handwash / bathroom. Tidy hands and faces.

4:35–4:50

Cleanup & room reset. Cleanup song; everyone helps.

4:50–5:00
Closing Circle

Goodbye song and a "see you on Splash Day!" wave.

5:00–6:00

Combined Active Engagement — Departure. Soft combined play and warm handoffs.

Day5
Friday
Splash Day!
A gentle water celebration — everyone splashes, their own way.
6:30–8:30

Combined arrival care. Soft welcome — happy Splash Day energy building.

8:30–8:50
Outdoor Play · Splash Day! (anchor)

The happy finale. A few simple water spots — pour, sponge, gentle sprinkler — and each Little's own decorated cup. No stations to run, no turns to manage; just joyful, well-supervised splashing with the week's songs playing.

Materials — all water tools, decorated cups, gentle sprinkler, extra towels and dry changes.

✦ Working Memory (gently) — watch Littles do their favorite moves from the week all on their own. That's a whole week of repetition paying off.
📸 Brightwheel moment
Shot: the whole happy scene — Littles splashing with their cups, a big group-joy moment.
🎉💦 SPLASH DAY! 💦🎉 We ended water week with the happiest, splashiest morning — cups, sprinklers, songs, and so many giggles. Soggy and delighted. What a week of play!
8:50–9:00
Circle Time (10 min)

Come in for a happy, soggy circle — a celebratory sing of all our water songs. Lots of warmth, then dry off.

9:00–9:15

Handwash / bathroom. Towel off, dry change, wash up for snack.

9:15–9:35
Fixed
Morning Snack

A celebratory snack and a calm landing after big fun.

9:35–10:00
Craft / Tables · Splashy Free Art

Open, watery free art — blue paint, sponges, whatever they reach for. A relaxed close to a big morning.

10:00–10:15

Handwash / bathroom. Quick wash and reset.

10:15–10:25
Music & Movement · Sing It All

One last joyful sing of the week's water songs with all the motions. A familiar, happy wind-down.

10:25–11:00
Centers / Free Choice

Calm, open centers to decompress after Splash Day. Quiet and cozy.

11:00–11:15

Handwash / bathroom. Wash up for lunch.

11:15–11:55
Fixed
Lunch

A happy, social meal.

11:55–12:10

Handwash / bathroom. Wind-down begins.

12:10–12:30
Free Choice & Closing Circle

Soft play into a calm closing song before a well-earned nap.

12:30–3:00
Fixed
Nap / Quiet Time

A deep nap after a big week.

3:00–3:30

Wake-up · handwash / bathroom. Gentle waking.

3:30–3:50
Fixed
Afternoon Snack

Refuel.

3:50–4:20
Outdoor Activity / Play (hot window)

Peak heat — light and shaded; gentle free play to close the week.

4:20–4:35

Handwash / bathroom. Tidy hands and faces.

4:35–4:50

Cleanup & room reset. Cleanup song; everyone helps pack down the water.

4:50–5:00
Closing Circle

A proud goodbye: "We had Splash Day!" Send them off happy and send the cups home.

5:00–6:00

Combined Active Engagement — Departure. Soft combined play; share Splash Day photos at warm handoffs.

One guide, one week, one classroom. This is the Littles (2–3.5) plan for Splash & Play. The Bigs and Toddlers run the same theme scaled to their age — switch rooms in the menu up top. Pair it with the General Planning Guide. Prints cleanly, one day per sheet.