Changing states of matter

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By Hilary White

The physical world around us is in a constant state of flux. Discovering, exploring and learning about change is an important part of Understanding the World, and is reflected in the 2021 The Natural World ELG: “Understand some important processes and changes in the natural world around them, including… changing states of matter.”

The phrase ‘changing states of matter’ sounds rather grand, but it simply means that ‘matter’ (any kind of substance) can exist in three different states – solid, liquid or gas. Water is often used as an example because we are all familiar with water in its liquid state, water in its solid state (ice), and water as a gas (water vapour, or steam).

The science underlying changing states of matter is something that children will learn about when they are older. At the Early Years stage, our focus should be on helping children to notice, observe and engage in sensory exploration of the changing state of matter in their everyday surroundings. The following activities offer easily detectable examples of changing states of matter, and they also enable children to explore some of the processes that bring about change.