Discovery of Physical World

All humans try  the discovery of physical world as they:

• Observe
• Sort and categorize
• Compare and contrast
• Manipulate
• Use senses for information gathering

The learning, that we each gain from discovery experiences, is an active ACTION----the doer is the active learner.
Again, all humans:

• Infants
• Toddlers
•  Preschoolers
• School-agers
• Teens
• Adults

using their senses are agents for their own learning. In understanding that learning is an ACTION-that we each DO,
it follows that time spend in such activity enables discovery by the active learner.

Learning is AN activity  

.....   and for children PLAY is their LEARNING activity. Time spent in PLAY enables Discovery of the physical world.
The discovery of the physical world unfolds the foundations of science and mathematics. A deeper understanding of the natural principles of our world constructs an understanding of those knowledge areas.
When the active learner is able to direct their own learning, mastery begins. Deeper knowledge emerges as further observations build the individual's cognitive treasure chest, in their brain.

When PLAY time is available, guiding youngsters movement explorations, might be aided with the 6 Training Manuals for Movement that Kidskills has written.

Prechoolers need to try to handle objects.

Surely, some guiding and aiding can be the child's caregiver's role BUT the JOY of Discovery should be created by the active learner. In that process as information is gathered, classified and simple deductions develop and simple problem-solving begins. When the initiation of action is done by the children [for this discussion] who have had experiences playing with materials that lead to exploratory attempts and often, in those attempts, creative solutions emerge.
Children easily and often display such divergent thinking, that adults find amazing!