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Puddle Pug, by Kim Norman, is a beautifully illustrated hardcover book that tells the story of a pug in the search for a perfect pond.

By Siu-Lan Tan

It’s spring and about this time each year, a little ritual takes place. After the winter melt, many children encounter their first puddle with the zeal of an explorer discovering a new land.

Indeed, a puddle of water is a microcosm. In it, you find bits of sky, some leaves and a little froth, your own reflection. It is shallow and deep. It records your every step, augments your every move, but eventually leaves no trace that you were ever there. It is both moving and still. A mysterious thing is a puddle, and worth investigating.

After watching hours of YouTube videos of infants and toddlers stomping puddles of different sizes and shapes, I have come up with my list of “Eight Favorite Videos of Kids Discovering Puddles”—and will comment on them briefly as a developmental (child) psychologist. Take a moment to slow down and enjoy this mesmerizing medley, my ode to Spring!

#8   Boy meets first puddle

This toddler does a double-take when he first sees a puddle that has suddenly appeared in the front yard. What is that? He puts his toe in it, gasps, and takes a step back. His mother labels the experience (“Water. Puddle”), encouraging further exploration. He falls into the puddle, and gets back up again. It’s all of life in short review.

Click here to view the embedded video.

#7   Puddle splashing in Cape Breton

Ben, well-equipped in rain-gear, epitomizes Piaget’s portrait of the child as mini-scientist. Discovering a puddle for the first time, he performs repeated “tests” on this new watery universe—just like a scientist would, trying many new things to see the different effects. Piaget referred to these as circular reactions: actions repeated over and over again by the infant because the interesting effects compel the infant to try it again. Through these ‘circular reactions’, he repeatedly explores the shallow borders, touches the water with bare hands, wades into the deep middle, and examines the effects of moving in different pathways and stamping with alternating feet, on the responses of the water. His babbles punctuate his discoveries.

Click here to view the embedded video.

#6   Athena splashing in puddles—Spring 2014

Athena finds a puddle and exclaims “I’ve never seen it before!”. Piaget referred to our earliest kind of intelligence as “sensorimotor” as an infant uses her senses and motor actions to explore, and build a storehouse of knowledge about the physical world. Athena coordinates sight, touch, hearing, and action to examine the new puddle. We witness circular reactions again, this time with very fine variations. She intentionally alters the angle and speed of her foot taps, and is engrossed in observing the effects on the water—the contingencies of her actions, just like a scientist immersed in an experiment.

Click here to view the embedded video.

#5   Charlie discovers puddles 

Charlie’s mother gives him time to explore on his own, and then responds to what has seized his interest. Developmental psychologists call this a joint attention episode, as child and parent are focused on the same thing. This’ joint attention episode’ is a natural teaching moment for acquiring new knowledge about the world, as well as developing language and expanding vocabulary—as the child learns all about the shared object of attention from his mother’s running commentary. “You’re in a puddle. Charlie, what does it feel like? Is it hot or cold? Is it wet or dry?”. (Charlie learns about properties of things, and new words, by direct experience). ”Do you see all the ripples you’re making? Just like the rain”. (The focus is now on cause and effect, perhaps a new word ‘ripple’). This is a master class in progress.

Click here to view the embedded video.

#4   Freya’s first puddle

Freya stops stomping puddles intermittently to look up and giggle with pure delight. While adults often dichotomize emotion and intellect, and researchers have focused mainly on the negative effects of emotion on learning, studies are beginning to suggest a link between positive emotions, such as joy and hope, and academic success (see, for example, Reinhard Pekrun). Freya’s gleeful responses show the natural joy that comes with learning, the exhilaration of discovering something new about the world around us.

Click here to view the embedded video.

#3   What if you encounter a mud puddle…when you’re driving your John Deere tractor?

This is an opportunity for Karsen to develop his cognitive skills—problem-solving—with a little advice from his father. Rather than running up to help and rescue the boy, dad instructs him on what to do from a distance. More than just the purely cognitive aspects of problem-solving, Karsen gains a sense of self-efficacy which may boost his ability on future tasks.

Click here to view the embedded video.

#2   Little girl in pink snowsuit discovers ice for the first time

This video has gone viral with almost one million views of the original post. The toddler finds a puddle that has frozen, and experiences ice for the first time. She’s somewhat younger than the other infants, and as she explores the ice patch with her feet and hands, she is constrained by her puffy snowsuit and proportions of her body. At this age, her head is one-fourth of her height (it is 1/8 in the typical adult) and her limbs are still relatively short. The consequences are worth seeing twice.

Click here to view the embedded video.

And the #1 video is…   A Kid, a Dog, and a Puddle.

For this one, please read the commentary after watching.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This remarkable video has gone viral and is approaching eight million views. Okay, perhaps it’s not his first puddle but small bodies of water have not lost their luster for this boy. What’s most striking is the uncanny coordination between the boy (Arthur) and his dog (Watson), a sort of interactional synchrony (a matching of emotion and behavior, which allows for a ‘dialogue’ to take place through action). Arthur does not drop the leash carelessly but places it down gently, looking back at Watson twice—and the dog returns his gaze. The dog seems to sense the boy’s intentions and waits patiently for his companion. Arthur is immersed in sensorimotor activity through circular reactions, repeatedly running through the puddle. But he keeps his loyal dog in mind, and reunites quickly with his pal to continue their journey in step together.

As I sifted through scores of videos of infants and children stomping and splashing in puddles, I was reminded that play is a child’s work. The foundations of everything a child needs to learn across the domains—cognitive, emotional, and social—are learned through play.

This is so beautifully illustrated in a moment of curiosity, discovery, and joy of a child, evoked by a small pool of water left after the rain.

Siu-Lan Tan is Associate Professor of Psychology at Kalamazoo College in Michigan, USA. She is primary editor of The Psychology of Music in Multimedia (Oxford University Press 2013), the first book consolidating the research on the role of music in film, television, video games, and computers. A version of this article also appears on Psychology Today. Siu-Lan Tan also has her own blog, What Shapes Film? Read her previous blog posts.

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Image Credit: Jack in Puddle Photo by Robert Murphy. CC BY-SA 2.0 via Robert Murphy Flickr.

The post Splash! What kids discover in a puddle appeared first on OUPblog.

        

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Enter to win an autographed copy of Puddle Pug, written by Kim Norman and illustrated by Keika Yamaguchi. Giveaway begins March 30, 2014, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends April 29, 2014, at 11:59 P.M. PST.

The 2013 Meager Puddle of Limelight Award for Best Opening Line

Everyone knows a great opening line is an excellent way to pull someone into a story, but now it can bring you fame and fortune too!

Okay, maybe not fame, and to be honest, not fortune either, but it can win you a Meager Puddle of Limelight Award and a free copy of my book, Fur-Face, as well as a couple of my I are a writer! pens.

How can I enter?
If you'd like to take part, you can submit up to three opening lines. They can be from finished stories or WiPs, but please note: they must be your own work. Put your entries in a comment below or send them to me within a separate LJ message (or email: [email protected]) under the heading: 2012 PUDDLE FOR BEST OPENING LINE. I'll screen all comments when the contest submission period closes. Be sure to check your spelling because your entry will be cut & pasted directly into the poll.

What do I win?
Aside from a signed copy of Fur-Face and the I are a writer! pens, winners get to bask in the meager puddle of limelight which my journal can provide. I'll post an interview with the top three finalists here on An Englishman in New Jersey. In addition, the overall winner gets the opportunity to do a guest blog here if he/she wishes.

I don’t have a Live Journal account. Can I still enter?
Sure, but you’ll need an LJ account to vote for anything. If you enter by non-LJ comment don't forget to give your name and website/email address so I can contact you if needed.

Do you plan to enter your own stuff, Jon?
No. I've excluded myself from the competition.

How will the winner be selected?
As in previous years, entries will be voted on by your peers in secret ballots. I'll explain the process in more detail later.

What’s the closing date for entries?

To be considered for the 2013 Meager Puddle of Limelight Awards for Best Opening Line, please submit your entries by 8pm (US/Eastern time), on Thursday, January 31st, 2013.

Sure, the Puddles may not be as prestigious as a Hugo or the like, but any award voted for by your peers is one worth having. Besides, just like those shiny diamonds people like to sing about, bragging rights are forever.

Since yesterday's 6pm (US/Eastern) deadline, three people tried to submit entries for this year's Meager Puddle of Limelight Award for Best opening Line.

The 2012 Meager Puddle of Limelight Award for Best Opening Line

Everyone knows a great opening line is an excellent way to pull someone into a story, but now it can bring you fame and fortune too!

Okay, maybe not fame, and to be honest, not fortune either, but it can win you a Meager Puddle of Limelight Award and a free copy of my book, Fur-Face, as well as a couple of my I are a writer! pens.

How can I enter?
If you'd like to take part, you can submit up to three opening lines. They can be from finished stories or WiPs, but please note: they must be your own work. Put your entries in a comment below or send them to me within a separate LJ message (or email: [email protected]) under the heading: 2012 PUDDLE FOR BEST OPENING LINE. I'll screen all comments when the contest submission period closes. Be sure to check your spelling because your entry will be cut & pasted directly into the poll.

What do I win?
Aside from a signed copy of Fur-Face and the I are a writer! pens (as shown in the pic below), winners get to bask in the meager puddle of limelight which my journal can provide. I'll post an interview with the top three finalists here on An Englishman in New Jersey. In addition, the overall winner gets the opportunity to do a guest blog here if he/she wishes.

I don’t have a Live Journal account. Can I still enter?
Sure, but you’ll need an LJ account to vote for anything. If you enter by non-LJ comment don't forget to give your name and website/email address so I can contact you if needed.

Do you plan to enter your own stuff, Jon?
No. I've excluded myself from the competition.

How will the winner be selected?
As with last year's contest, entries will be voted on by your peers in secret ballots. I'll explain the process in more detail later.

What’s the closing date for entries?

To be considered for the 2012 Meager Puddle of Limelight Awards for Best Opening Line, please submit your entries by 6pm (US/Eastern time), on Sunday, December 16th, 2012.


Sure, the Puddles may not be as prestigious as a Hugo or the like, but any award voted for by your peers is one worth having. Besides, just like those shiny diamonds people like to sing about, bragging rights are forever.

Coming soon:

If you haven't already voted, today's your last chance to choose which book titles you'd like to see in the next round of this year's  Meager Puddle of Limelight Award for Best Book Title. 

Here are the links to the first round heats:

Heat one
Heat two
Heat three
Heat four
Heat five


Voting in Heats 1 through 5 will close today (Sunday, September 30th, 2012) at 6:00pm (US/Eastern). Heat six will take place soon after.

Good luck to all who take part! Vene, vidi, puddli!

Links to the other Heats and the final:
Heat one
Heat two
Heat three
Heat four
Heat five
Heat six

Final Round

Voting in Heats 1 through 5 will close on Sunday, September 30th 2012 at 6:00pm (US/Eastern). Heat six will take place soon after.

Good luck to all who take part! Vene, vidi, puddli!

Links to the other Heats and the final:
Heat one
Heat two
Heat three
Heat four
Heat five
Heat six

Final Round

Voting in Heats 1 through 5 will close on Sunday, September 30th 2012 at 6:00pm (US/Eastern). Heat six will take place soon after.

Good luck to all who take part! Vene, vidi, puddli!

Links to the other Heats and the final:
Heat one
Heat two
Heat three
Heat four
Heat five
Heat six

Final Round

Voting in Heats 1 through 5 will close on Sunday, September 30th 2012 at 6:00pm (US/Eastern). Heat six will take place soon after.

Good luck to all who take part! Vene, vidi, puddli!

Links to the other Heats and the final:
Heat one
Heat two
Heat three
Heat four
Heat five
Heat six

Final Round

Voting in Heats 1 through 5 will close on Sunday, September 30th 2012 at 6:00pm (US/Eastern). Heat six will take place soon after.

Good luck to all who take part! Vene, vidi, puddli!

Links to the other Heats and the final:
Heat one
Heat two
Heat three
Heat four
Heat five
Heat six

Final Round

Voting in Heats 1 through 5 will close on Sunday, September 30th 2012 at 6:00pm (US/Eastern). Heat six will take place soon after.

Good luck to all who take part! Vene, vidi, puddli!

The 2012 Meager Puddle of Limelight Award for Best Book Title

Everyone knows a great title is an excellent way to pull someone into a story, but now it can bring you fame and fortune too!

Okay, maybe not fame, and to be honest, not fortune either, but it can win you a Meager Puddle of Limelight Award and a free copy of my book, Fur-Face, as well as a couple of I are a writer! pens.

How can I enter?
If you'd like to take part, you can submit up to three book titles. They can be from finished novels or WiPs, but please note: they must be your own work. Put your entries in a comment below or send them to me within a separate message (or email: [email protected]) under the heading: 2012 PUDDLE FOR BEST BOOK TITLE. I'll screen all comments when the contest submission period closes. Be sure to check your spelling because your entry will be cut & pasted into the poll.

What do I win?
Aside from a signed copy of Fur-Face and the I are a writer! pens, winners get to bask in the meager puddle of limelight which my journal can provide. I'll post an interview with the top three finalists here on An Englishman in New Jersey. In addition, the overall winner gets the opportunity to do a guest blog here if he/she wishes.

I don’t have a Live Journal account. Can I enter?
Sure, but you’ll need an LJ account to vote for anything. And don't forget to give your name and website/email address if you enter by anonymous comment so I can contact you if needed.

Do you plan to enter your own stuff, Jon?
No. I've excluded myself from the competition.

How will the winner be selected?
As with last year's contest, entries will be voted on by your peers in secret ballots. I'll explain the process in more detail later.

What’s the closing date for entries?

To be considered for the 2012 Meager Puddle of Limelight Awards for Best Book Title, please submit your entries by noon (US/Eastern time), on Sunday, September 2nd, 2012.


Sure, the Puddles may not be as prestigious as a Hugo or the like, but any award voted for by your peers is one worth having. Besides, just like those shiny diamonds people like to sing about, bragging rights are forever.

We're almost ready for the final round of this year's Meager Puddle of Limelight Award for Best Short Story Title.

I've put the second-place finishers from each of the first eight rounds into the poll below. The one with the most votes will join the other heat winners in the final.

ETA: My apologies: I messed up the wording on the poll question. It says 'Heat 8, but it's really heat nine. Also, you can only choose one title in this round [other than that, I got it perfect.]

Ten great entries have already made it through to the last round of this year's Meager Puddle of Limelight Award for Best Short Story Title. 

Now it's time to choose which one of the runners-up which will join them.I've put the second-place finishers from each of the first eight rounds into a poll below. The one with the most votes will join the other heat winners in the final.

All the opening heats of this year's Meager Puddle of Limelight Award for Best Short Story Title  are now open.

If you'd like to peruse the entries and vote for the ones you'd like to see make it through to the final, here are the links:

Heat one
Heat two
Heat three
Heat four
Heat five
Heat six
Heat seven
Heat eight

You'll need an LJ account to vote, but they're free).

Voting in Heats 1 through 8 will close on Sunday, June 3rd 2012 at 6:00pm (US/Eastern). Heat nine, in which the runners-up from each heat battle it out for the last place in the final, will take place soon after.

Good luck to all who take part! Vene, vidi, puddli!