Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) Early Childhood Education Practice Test

What physical science concept can be promoted by giving three-year-olds access to water or sand tables?

1. Basic physics principles

2. Properties of materials

3. Understanding ecosystems

4. Recognizing weather patterns

The correct answer is: Properties of materials

Providing three-year-olds with access to water or sand tables effectively promotes their understanding of the properties of materials. Engaging with these tactile resources allows young children to explore and experiment with different textures, densities, and states of matter. For instance, as they pour water or shape sand, they observe how these materials behave—whether they flow, stick, or change shape. This hands-on exploration encourages children to ask questions and make observations about how materials react when combined or altered. They may notice that wet sand can hold its shape while dry sand cannot, or that water takes the shape of its container. Thus, the activity offers ample opportunities to investigate characteristics such as hardness, viscosity, and malleability. Through this kind of play, children develop foundational scientific concepts and vocabulary related to material properties, laying the groundwork for more complex science learning in the future. Engaging with water and sand tables fosters curiosity and inquiry, which are essential components of early childhood education in physical science.