Sand is a natural material that provides many learning opportunities and a sand box or sand table provides an environment where learning takes place.
Sand boxes and tables are common in most elementary schools, preschools and day care facilities.
Not only are these items educational but they are also lots of fun.
Below are some ideas for sand play that will have children engaged in learning activities while having fun.
A sand box provides learning opportunities for tactile development.
Wet sand and dry sand respond differently.
Different types of sand have different textures.
Sand can be piled deep or can be shallow.
The container can be full or empty.
Developing motor skills is another learning opportunity.
Items can be hidden and found in sand.
Examples of items to be hidden in the sand could be balls, erasers, plastic eggs or blocks.
Children will love to find some of their favorite toys under the sand.
Providing tongs will help to develop eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills as they pick up objects.
Molding sand is fun as well.
Any open sided container is great for molding.
Examples include milk cartons with tops cut off, plastic food containers, cans (watch the sharp edges).
Choosing containers with varying textures will enhance creativity in designs.
A sand box provides a medium for practicing pattern making.
Children can practice their letters, number and shapes using a stick or brush.
They can make tracks with cars and trucks.
Provide feathers, rakes, sticks, rocks, shells and cookie cutter etc in the sand box and see what patterns your child will create.
It is a great place for your child to develop social skills as well.
When more than one child is present, they learn to negotiate space, take turns with toys and share.
There seems to always be an opportunity to make a new friend in a sand box.
Children will often engage in dramatic play when provided toys such as cars, trucks, buses, and tractors.
Also, play people, animals, and dinosaurs are great toys to place in the box to encourage dramatic play.
Counting and measuring are other skills that can be developed.
Measuring cups of different sizes will provide learning opportunities in weights and measures, more than and less than or equal to.
Wet sand weighs more than dry sand.
Sand boxes and sand tables can provide hours of educational, creative and fun activities.
Shouldn't you have one for your child to play in?