Search:

Writers' Community!

Article Submission
We Need YOUR Articles!
We'll Promote Them for FREE!

Author Login

New Authors
Register Here


Now Serving 5,598 Authors
46,927 Quality Articles
& 4,389 Current Users Online!
Featured Authors
Stephany Springer is a fan of:
Mike Fak (3,595)
Laura Trahan (32,898)
Sandra E. Graham (2,089)
Judi Lake (2,917)
Danny Davids (13,353)
Lorrie Davids (4,983)
Abigail Richards (5,960)
Jan Hayner (3,595)
Avis Ward (8,236)
Jean Horst (1,001)
Mary Fagan (586)
James P Krehbiel (1,326)
Deirdre Reilly (393)
Nicole Carriere (0)
Most Recent
Redefining Education: What It Means to Be Educated In the 21st Century

Sticky Subject: Expanding Your Vocabulary

Why Don’t Youngsters Know Basic Math

What Teaching Resources Do We Really Need?

Achieving Effective Learning Habits: 5 Ways to Help Your Child Think About Thinking

Spanish Love Sayings - How To Sweet Talk Her

To Part or Not To Part?: That Is the Question

EXCEL Teaching Model - A Guide to Engaging Learners

Music and Songs In the Classroom: Techniques To Aid the Language Learning Process.

Practice Pronunciation Like A Virtuoso

Home » Categories » Education » Learning Methods & Theories » Sand/Water Table Activities For The Preschool Classroom » Printer Friendly

Stephany Springer

Sand/Water Table Activities For The Preschool Classroom

Rated 3.5 out of 5
No Reader Ratings Available ?
Rate It  /  View Comments  /  View All Articles submitted by Stephany Springer
Submitted Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Submitted by: Stephany Springer (14,450)
Stephany Springer

Log in to become a member of Stephany Springer's Fan Club!


The Nature/Sensory Table also referred to as the Sand or Water Table can be the most educational, beneficial, fun center in the preschool classroom. It is usually the center that will stimulate the senses of touch, smell and sight the most.

It is the one center that can intrigue the toddler all the way up to the elementary school student. The task as teachers is to not only expose the kids to the normal activities, but to go beyond those typical items and take a child exploring farther.

The great thing about this center is that you do not have to have a fancy table (it is nice if your school can afford one, but not necessary). You can create your own table out of tubs from the dollar store as well as cheap plastic baby pools depending on the space of your room.

The traditional components of a sand/water table would of course include sand and/or water to play with. The possibilities for just those two items are endless.

Try adding to the traditional water: ice cubes, sea animals, measuring cups and spoons, waterwheel, toy boats, eyedroppers, funnels, mild dish detergent, wire whisks or a water pump. A bonus fun activity for a construction unit is to tape some legos to the bottom of the tub. Then add water and let the kids build on the legos to make an underwater building creations.

Try adding to the traditional sand: measuring cups, measuring spoons, funnels, magnetic or foam letters and numbers, plastic sand molds, construction vehicles, metal washers and magnets or treasure box items. Some bonus fun activities would be to buy pretend dinosaur bones and let the kids excavate them. Another activity is to add water to the sand to make mud. Then do a farm activity with pigs in the mud. You can also have some pretend ice cream fun by wetting the sand and putting ice cream scoops in the table. Have some bowls as well for the kids to put the ice cream into once scooped.

Rice is also a fun item to have in the table. You can turn the rice different colors for the kids to play in. Make sure to have the measuring cups ready as well. One community helpers unit, I died rice red, orange and yellow then hid fireman stickers so the students could dig. To make colored rice, mix together one-third cup of rubbing alcohol and several drops of food coloring in the color you want. Make the coloring mixture dark to ensure a bright finished color for the rice. Pour the rice and the coloring mixture into a gallon-sized zippered plastic bag. Turn and knead the bag until the rice is well-coated; then pour the rice out onto the sheets of newspaper to dry overnight.

Art time can also be extremely fun using the table. You can place shaving cream, play doh as well as let the kids paint in the tub. One fun activity for the younger ones is to tape a piece of paper to the bottom of the tub. Then dip a ball in paint and place in the tub. Let the children lift up on the sides of the tub to roll it back and forth on the paper.

These aren't even a dent of ideas for the table. Look in the future for holiday table ideas, magic comes to life and more! Feel free to leave any ideas you have used or done in the past for your class units as well! 






Reprint Rights

Log in to become a member of Stephany Springer's Fan Club!

Comments on this article:


» left by Anonymous (155 days 22 hours ago.)
Reader Rating: 5 out of 5
This has some great ideas. I also appreciate the fact I can cut and paste the page. With all the work there is to do to get ready for another week of fun, typing out great suggestions turns them into just okay ideas. I also put potting soil in my sensory tub. Oh, I have used river rocks too.

Respond to this comment

Was this article helpful to you? Leave a Public Comment or Question:

 

This Article has been viewed 1,174 times.
Article added to SearchWarp.com on Wednesday, April 23, 2008
View other articles written by Stephany Springer (14,450)
Stephany Springer


If you found this article interesting, you may want to check out:

Disclaimer:  All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional or organization.


Today's Most Popular
Analysis of Errors of Preposition Inthe Learners Use of English In Second Language Situation

Learning Math With Manipulatives - Base Ten Blocks (Part III)

How to Wear a Graduation Hood?

Sand/Water Table Activities For The Preschool Classroom

Texas Rodeo Time: Activities For The Preschool Classroom

Specialized Classroom Management Techniques for ADHD Are a Classroom Management Necessity

Flexible Estimation in Math

10 Activities To Help Improve Your Working Memory And Concentration

Teaching the Third Conditional to ESL Students

Classroom Management and Group Discipline Resource Ideas for Schools

Home  |  FAQ's  |  Contact  |  Terms of Service  |  Article Submission Guidelines  |  Writers' Contests  |  Privacy  |  Mission / About
Copyright ? 1999-2008 SearchWarp.com, All Rights Reserved - SearchWarp.com is an IcoLogic, Inc. Company