| g around a sand and water table, playing in the water, | | | | Children can make imaginary worlds in the ocean they |
| manipulating the sand and other objects is a fun | | | | created by arranging the objects into different scenes. |
| learning experience for children. Having sand & water | | | | They can use their imaginations with their friends to |
| tables in the classroom is also a great way for | | | | make up stories and role play as they move things |
| students to develop their fine and gross motor skills. | | | | through the water and on the ocean floor. Each child |
| The activity center should be changed regularly so | | | | can make their own little individual ocean floor or they |
| students can explore new things and develop in many | | | | can all work together and make one big one they can |
| different areas. | | | | all play with. |
| Ocean Floor Creation | | | | Sensory Effects |
| Creating an ocean floor is a good way to introduce | | | | One of the most satisfying sounds in nature is |
| children to new things and keep them interested in | | | | probably the sound waves make as they crash |
| learning. Invite your students to picture an ocean floor | | | | against the shore. By making a shore with extra sand |
| and to think of some items they might find there. | | | | children can mimic that sound as they create little |
| Encourage them to think of both natural and unnatural | | | | waves. They can even build tiny sand castles on the |
| items they might find and encourage their budding | | | | shore and knock them over with the waves they |
| imaginations by letting them add things that they would | | | | create. If you have a large seashell you could also set |
| not likely find on an ocean floor, such as a horse or a | | | | that out so the children can listen to the ocean in the |
| truck. | | | | shell. Often times allowing your students to run wet |
| Ocean Objects | | | | sand and water through their hands has a calming |
| The only thing that really limits what kind of objects | | | | effect on them. |
| you can use in your sand & water table are your | | | | Another way for children to use their sense of touch |
| budget and the children's imaginations! Some ideas of | | | | at the sand and water table is by looking for hidden |
| sand and water toys for creating an ocean floor are | | | | objects in the sand. You can hide small rings or rocks |
| sea shells, decorative rocks and minerals, toy fish and | | | | or some type of treasure that they can find and take |
| plants, a treasure chest, a sunken vessel, small divers | | | | home with them. |
| and toy boats. | | | | Sand and water tables are very versatile and can be |
| This may be a good opportunity to talk about all the | | | | used for all kinds of activities and dynamic exploration. |
| different animals that live in the ocean from the giant | | | | The ocean floor theme provides a delightful sensory |
| whales to the smallest crabs and shrimp. You can also | | | | experience for students. They will enjoy looking for |
| use that time to teach them about the food chain or | | | | hidden objects and creating an imaginary ocean world |
| how it is important to keep the oceans pollution free. | | | | while developing their motor skills. |
| Playing With Sand and Water | | | | |