Sand and Water

Sand and Water

Many important math and cognitive skills are gained in the sand and water area. When children play around with filling cups and comparing which cup holds more/less, they are building measurement skills. They can use many manipulatives to practice patterning, counting, and geometry skills. This is also a great place for children to strengthen their fine motor skills. Since most of the play that happens in this area involves children using their hands to manipulate small and large objects, the muscles in their hands are strengthened each time they visit.

Communication about the exploration that is happening is greatly encouraged. Children describe what they see happening and what they are doing. They make predictions about what might happen if they change something, and they work with classmates to create pretend situations. All of these experiences help build upon the children's language and social skills.

Ideas for Home:

 

Creating a sand and water area at home is easy! Considering your bathtub is a great big water table, bath time is a great chance for children to explore the concepts I explained above. Provide your children with various types/sizes of cups or buckets and allow them to play around in the water.

 

A sand table doesn't necessarily have to be an expensive table filled with sand. You can simply find a tote of an appropriate size and fill it up with any time of scoopable objects (e.g. noodles, rice, beans, etc.) Again, provide your child with various scooping utensils and allow them to play around.

Source:
Dodge, Diane T., Colker, Laura J., Heroman, Cate. (2002). The Creative Curriculum.
        Washington DC: Teaching Strategies Inc.