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The natural attraction that most children have for these materials
makes them perfect for exploration in the early childhood classroom.
Sand and water can be two separate activities. Each one on its
own provides children with many learning opportunities. As a
liquid, water can be splashed, poured and frozen. As a liquid, water
can be sifted, raked and shoveled. Sand and water play enhanced when
the two are brought together to form a third type of play-wet sand
play. By housing the materials near one another, children can use them
separately, or at times, together.
Children's explorations with sand and water naturally help build
various skills. By sifting sand and scooping water, children
improve their physical dexterity. By joining others in blowing
bubbles or making sand castle, they develop social skills. At
the same time, they enhance their cognitive skills as they explore why
certain objects sink in water and other float.
Wet sand play allows children to encourage principles of math and
science firsthand. When children mix sand with water, they discover
that they have changed the properties of both: the dry sand becomes
firm and the water is absorbed. The textures of both materials change
too. Unlike dry sand or liquid water, wet sand can be molded.
Individually and together, sand and water can be used effectively to
challenge and soothe children's minds and bodies.
Source: http://www.creativecurriculum.com
Objectives for Children's Learning
Children benefit the most from sand and water play when you guide
their interactions. The following list presents some suggested
learning objectives for children's play and examples of children at
work in this area.
Socio-emotional Development
• Play cooperatively with others
(sharing water play props with another child)
• Explore social roles (washing dolls and dishes)
• Develop pride (requesting that a castle made
in the sand tub not be knocked down at the end of play)
• See a task through to completion
(mixing up and using a bubble solution, then cleaning up)
Cognitive Development
• Observe materials to see how they compare and contrast
(adding water to dry sand to see how it changes)
• Understanding cause- and effect relationships
(predicting what will happen when soap flakes are added to water)
• Observe conservation of volume
(pouring sand, water or wet sand into differently shaped containers
and comparing them)
• Develop problem solving skills
(figuring out how to dig a tunnel in wet sand so that it won't
collapse)
• Develop creativity (molding wet sand into a variety of shapes)
Motor Development
• Strengthen fine motor control (using a tongue depressor to trace
figure-eights in the sand)
• Develop eye-hand movements (shaking sand through a sieve)
• Improve coordination skills (filling measuring cups and spoons)
Source: http://www.creativecurriculum.com
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