Transform water play into a learning adventure with our Whirlpool Lesson Pack for SEND – designed to inspire curiosity and sensory exploration in preschool and early years children.
Using the Muddy Puddle Teacher approach, this pack guides educators and parents to turn a fascination with swirling water into meaningful, hands-on lessons that build confidence, support regulation, and spark creativity.
What’s Inside:
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6 Outdoor Lesson Plans – including rope whirlpool spirals, bamboo water channels, clay whirlpool creatures, and busy vs. calm water play.
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Step-by-Step Guidance – clear, easy-to-follow instructions with minimal prep.
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SEND-Focused Objectives – develop sensory processing, communication, and teamwork.
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Eco-Friendly, Low-Cost Resources – rope, bamboo sticks, clay, chalk pens, cones, and natural materials.
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Reflective Moments – encourage children to talk about their feelings and discoveries.
Ideal for:
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Early Years practitioners & Forest School leaders
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SEND teachers & therapists
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Parents seeking outdoor play ideas linked to children’s special interests
🌱 Curiosity Club: Using Fascinations Like Whirlpools to Lead Learning
At MPT, we believe children learn best when their interests guide the lesson. Many children with SEND have deep passions — from water play to dinosaurs — and we celebrate these as the perfect starting point for education.
Why Water & Whirlpools Work So Well
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Sensory-rich experience: Water provides natural feedback for touch, sight, and sound.
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Predictable patterns: Watching water swirl can be soothing and help children self-regulate.
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Opportunity for movement: Pouring, stirring, and splashing engage motor skills.
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Natural curiosity: Children love to test what floats, sinks, spins, or swirls.
Tips for Taking Whirlpool Learning Outdoors
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Create Rope Spirals:
Lay a rope in a spiral on the ground and pour water into the centre. Children can walk the spiral path, spin gently, then swirl the water to “bring the whirlpool to life.” -
Build Water Channels with Bamboo:
Make simple tracks and pour water down them, encouraging children to notice how water flows and collects. -
Add Natural Objects:
Drop in leaves, petals, or twigs and watch what happens. “Do they spin? Do they get stuck?” -
Combine Big Energy with Calm Play:
Let children run and spin like “busy water,” then sit together to watch real water slowly stop moving — a natural mindfulness activity. -
Include Creative Play:
Use clay to make creatures that “live in the whirlpool,” then place them in a tray of water and gently swirl.
Share & Support
We want more children to enjoy passion-led outdoor learning!
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Share this resource with colleagues, parent groups, and outdoor educators.
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Add a link to your blog or school website so others can discover the Whirlpool Lesson Pack.
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Join the conversation: Post photos (with permission) of your whirlpool play and tag us.
Suggested share text:
“Bring water play to life with this SEND-friendly Whirlpool Lesson Pack from Muddy Puddle Teacher’s Curiosity Club: https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/whirlpool-lesson-ideas-send-pack/
