Montessori Sensory Tubs: Sand Play Without a Sandbox - featured July 10, 2009
< Back to Previous PageMontessori Sensory Tubs: Sand Play Without a Sandbox
Copyright © 2009 Chicago Montessori Learning Examiner
Reprinted with the express permission of the author as originally published on her website.
By: Jocelyn Scotty
Chicago Montessori Learning Examiner
One of the key elements in a Montessori environment is a child’s exposure to sensorial experiences, those things which engage the senses in a way that allows a child to explore and discover the world around her. Why does a child love to take off her shoes and squish her toes in a sandy beach or a playground sandbox? It’s all a wonderful sensory experience.
Whether you live in an apartment or just don’t want to deal with a big messy sandbox, it is easy to make your own individual sensory tubs for your child to experience a variety of touch activities at home.
Choose different clear plastic storage boxes with lids in a size appropriate for your child and space. Fill each box 1/4 to 1/2 way with your sensory items and be sure to have a supply of child sized measuring cups, spoons, scoops, tongs and funnels available. The manipulation of these tools will encourage concentration and improves fine motor dexterity.
Sandy tub: use play sand, corn meal, ground coffee or soil
Smooth Tub: use dried beans, small pebbles or dried corn kernels
Slick Tub: use very small items like uncooked rice, bird seed, table salt or glitter
Slippery Tub: float a few small bars of soap in water
Soft Tub: use craft poms, cotton balls, feathers or marshmallows
Rough Tub: use uncooked pasta shapes, sea shells, dry leaves or pine cones
Wet Tub: use shaving cream, Jell-O or finger paint
Cool Tub: use ice cubes, frozen peas or snow
Therapist and Parent Tips:
Featured Author/Blogger: Jocelyn Scotty of the Chicago Montessori Learning Examiner
Jocelyn Scotty is a certified Early Childhood Montessori teacher, former teacher educator, school administrator and summer camp director. She is currently working as a consultant to the educational materials industry and has a daughter who attended Montessori through 3rd grade
We thank the Joceyln for allowing us to reprint her copyrighted article. Please visit her blog site at Chicago Montessori Learning Examiner
Copyright © 2009 Chicago Montessori Learning Examiner
Reprinted with the express permission of the author as originally published on her website.
By: Jocelyn Scotty
Chicago Montessori Learning Examiner
One of the key elements in a Montessori environment is a child’s exposure to sensorial experiences, those things which engage the senses in a way that allows a child to explore and discover the world around her. Why does a child love to take off her shoes and squish her toes in a sandy beach or a playground sandbox? It’s all a wonderful sensory experience.
Whether you live in an apartment or just don’t want to deal with a big messy sandbox, it is easy to make your own individual sensory tubs for your child to experience a variety of touch activities at home.
Choose different clear plastic storage boxes with lids in a size appropriate for your child and space. Fill each box 1/4 to 1/2 way with your sensory items and be sure to have a supply of child sized measuring cups, spoons, scoops, tongs and funnels available. The manipulation of these tools will encourage concentration and improves fine motor dexterity.
Sandy tub: use play sand, corn meal, ground coffee or soil
Smooth Tub: use dried beans, small pebbles or dried corn kernels
Slick Tub: use very small items like uncooked rice, bird seed, table salt or glitter
Slippery Tub: float a few small bars of soap in water
Soft Tub: use craft poms, cotton balls, feathers or marshmallows
Rough Tub: use uncooked pasta shapes, sea shells, dry leaves or pine cones
Wet Tub: use shaving cream, Jell-O or finger paint
Cool Tub: use ice cubes, frozen peas or snow
Therapist and Parent Tips:
- Have only one sensory tub out at a time and do not tell your child the name of it, let her discover the sensation on her own and use her own language to describe it.
- Place a washable plastic tablecloth or placemat under the sensory tub before play begins for ease of clean up.
- Place the lid on the sensory tub and have your child shake it for a completely different sensory experience.
- Children should always be supervised during sensory play as most items in tubs are choking hazards for very young children.
Featured Author/Blogger: Jocelyn Scotty of the Chicago Montessori Learning Examiner
Jocelyn Scotty is a certified Early Childhood Montessori teacher, former teacher educator, school administrator and summer camp director. She is currently working as a consultant to the educational materials industry and has a daughter who attended Montessori through 3rd grade
We thank the Joceyln for allowing us to reprint her copyrighted article. Please visit her blog site at Chicago Montessori Learning Examiner
Tags: Sensory Motor Skills - Sensory Integration Newsletter July 2009 Tip or Resources of Week Sensory Processing Disorder OT Article