Let me tell you… you never know what our classrooms might be up to! Today, some of our little learners kicked off Fire Prevention Week with a fun, hands-on activity — “putting out a fire.” Don’t worry, not a real one!
One of our creative teachers painted a pretend fire on a metal door using washable paint, and the children used spray bottles filled with warm, soapy water to “put it out.” The excitement on their faces said it all — they were learning, laughing, and working together just like real firefighters!
This activity might look like simple fun, but it’s also full of meaningful learning that connects directly to the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards:
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Approaches to Learning through Play: Children engage in imaginative play while exploring cause and effect — discovering that their actions (spraying water) can create change (making the “fire” disappear).
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Physical Development: Using spray bottles strengthens small hand muscles and supports fine motor skills, which help with writing and self-help tasks.
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Language & Literacy Development: We practiced the words “hot” and “help” — both spoken and in sign language — encouraging early communication, vocabulary building, and safety awareness.
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Social & Emotional Development: Working together to put out the “fire” encouraged teamwork, cooperation, and problem-solving, helping children build confidence and empathy.
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Science & Discovery: The children observed how water interacts with paint and explored basic science concepts such as temperature, cause and effect, and transformation in a safe, engaging way.
By connecting fun, hands-on experiences with developmental goals, our teachers turn everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth. Fire Prevention Week is the perfect time to remind children — in a playful and age-appropriate way — about staying safe and helping others.
Try It at Home!
Families can easily recreate this simple learning activity at home:
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Use washable paint to make a pretend “fire” on an outdoor surface (like a metal door, a fence, or a large baking sheet).
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Fill a spray bottle with warm, soapy water.
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Let your child “put out the fire” while talking about what firefighters do and why it’s important to stay safe around things that are hot.
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Practice saying and signing “hot” and “help” together.
Safety Tip: Always supervise your child closely, and make sure you’re using washable, non-toxic paint. For little ones, this is a great opportunity to introduce the idea that only grown-ups handle real fires — but everyone can help keep each other safe!
Sometimes, learning important lessons can be as simple (and as fun!) as a spray bottle, a little paint, and a big imagination.