In most early childhood classrooms you will find a sand and
water or sensory table. This is not only
because they are great fun for children, but because they are also important in the world
of movement play. Movement play involves
the use of moveable items that react and can be manipulated to teach cause
& effect, math/science, social skills and motor control.
These sensory tables are commonly filled with water, sand,
shapes and other tactile elements.
Usually 2-4 children will use a sensory table at one time. This allows for sharing lessons and group
interaction. Children are forced to work
within close proximity of each other and learn to work together. This cooperative play is a beneficial skill
to develop at this age as it will affect their social interactions now and later
in life.
Through the use of these tables, children are able to
experience how items react to their movements.
When using a sand or water table, for example, a child can explore what
happens when they move water this way or that, when they scoop sand up with
objects, when they combine it with other ingredients. Handling different objects and moving them
through the sand or water can also help to develop a child’s hand/eye
coordination and gross motor skills. Sensory tables can facilitate important math and science
lessons. A good way to introduce these
subjects to children is by placing various sized containers and objects near and in the table. Children will naturally experiment by filling
up the different sized containers, thus introducing lessons on volume and
displacement. Kids also love playing
with objects in the water. Caregivers
can use this fun time as a time to discuss and test which objects float and
which items sink.
Want to change up the sensory table play time? There are many ways to create new and
interesting experiences. An easy way to
do this is to add different colors to the water so children can mix new colors
on their own. Another fun tactile
experiment is to add cornstarch to the water to create a different texture and
sensation. Bubbles are yet another exciting way
to change up the sensory experience for your students.
Sensory tables are a common element in classrooms for a
reason-they teach a variety of lessons and improve interaction in
children. And-they are fun! Wood Designs offers a variety of sizes of
sand and water sensory tables to suit your classroom needs. Check out our sensory section at WoodDesigns.com to see what we have
in stock for your room.
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