Around the Sand Box

There are many things we can do to create a fun environment using sand, weather inside or outside.  Try some of these ideas and share other things you have found to be effective with children in your care.  Here are a few suggestions to get you started.  Be creative and see how you can make sand time a great learning experience!  Remember to always plan activities around the ages of your children.  Keep safety first!

Sand Play Area

Prehistoric Playtime

In a sandbox, sand table, or wading pool filled with sand:  place plastic dinosaurs, plastic bones, and rocks in various places in the sand.  Make palm trees out of paper towel cardboard and green tissue paper.  Place buckets and shovels in the box and invite children to dig for dinosaurs and bones.

Outer Space and Moon Rock Hunt

Spray paint various sized rocks with silver paint and allow to dry for several days (I would actually wait a week).  You can also use aluminum foil balls.  Hide the silver rocks and plastic stars in the sand.  Let the children go on an adventure to find the items.

Pirate’s Treasure

Hide various pirate-them plastic items in the sand such as gold coins, plastic necklaces, mini treasure chests, large plastic jewels (large enough to prevent choking especially for children 3 and younger).  See what treasures they can find!

Fishing

Hide bobbers and plastic worms to find…..no hooks please.

To extend these activities read a book about dinosaurs, space, the moon, astronauts, pirates or fishing.  Let the children discuss what they found and about their sand box adventures.

 

 

 

Let’s Go Play!

Play is important for all ages of development.  So, what type of play is there?

Four Main Types of Play

• Active, physical – increases muscle strength and coordination.
• Manipulative, creative – good for practicing eye-hand coordination; gives opportunity to express ideas, use initiative, solve problems, and make decisions.
• Imitative, imaginative – encourages emotional expression; helps child understand others and himself; lets child practice different ways of behaving.
• Social – provides ways for learning about how to get along with others, fair play, sharing, and friendship.

Play is important during the preschool years. You may notice your child talking to a doll or favorite stuffed animal as though it were real.  Imaginary friends often appear now.  You may overhear very detailed conversations between your child and his imaginary friend.

This pretend play helps children deal with their emotions.  It helps develop emotional stability.  Children who play make-believe games can handle frustration better.  They are also less aggressive and get along better with others.

Parent can encourage imaginary play.  When your child wants to “feed” his teddy bear, play along and set a place at the table for his special friend.  Often, you will not need to actively participate in make-believe play, but avoid criticism.  Allow your child the freedom to create his own imaginary world for learning.