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7-19-00 Question 39
Dear Preschool
Teacher,
I am a Day Care Provider for 2-4 year olds and I am
looking for a way to make a water and sand area that doesn't cost to much
money, but is big enough for three children to play at each station so I can
see their activities at the same time.
Water and Sand Play
Dear Water and Sand Play,
In my center we don't have enough water/sand
tables for each room so I took a medium size storage tub and filled it with
just enough water to cover some ocean animals and I put it on the floor with
a vinyl tablecloth underneath. The covers are great when you want to close
the water table.
Lisa
"Ask the Preschool Teacher" Staff
Dear Water and Sand Play,
I like to individual sand and water play areas
by simply using dishpans or shallow pans of any kind. This allows me
to set them out on a table and then when we are finished they can be dumped
together and easily stored until next time. We do not have a lot of
storage area in our classrooms.
Sherri
"Ask the Preschool Teacher" Staff
Dear Water
and Sand Play,
You can use large plastic storage containers
with lids for both sand and water play. A plastic table cloth or small
tarp can be used as a mat underneath the container. You might want to
limit the center to two children, so that they have enough room to splash
around. With young children, it might be best to try having an adult
stand close by, at least for the first few times the center is in use, to go
over the rules (ie: no splashing each other, keep the sand in the box, etc.)
For water play, you can provide them with water toys, measuring cups, an egg
beater (the kind you manually rotate the handle on to make the beaters
spin), or even try putting baby dolls in with a little bit of dish soap so
the children can give the dolls a "bath". For sand play,
provide them with cups and plastic spoons, or try hiding small objects in
the sand for them to find. One of the best reasons to use the large
plastic containers is that they can be taken outside during warm weather,
where "splashing" can be encouraged! Have fun!
Jill
"Ask the Preschool Teacher" Staff
Dear Water
and Sand Play,
I have Rubbermaid containers setting on a
table. Rubbermaid is nice because they have a lot of different sizes
to chose from and when you are done they do stack nicely in a closet for
storage. I don't have a very big room for my kids to use this in so this
really works for me. I hope it does for you!!
Jenny
"Ask the Preschool Teacher" Staff
Dear Water
and Sand Play,
My husband built an inexpensive sand/water table for
my class which could be for 4 people. It is mainly a table he built
and we had bought a large (deep) Rubbermaid container before so he
measured and the plastic container w/ a lid fits perfect in the hole.
If you or your husband is handy with wood work, I am sure you/he could
figure this out. Look at magazines that have pictures of the tables so
you/he can get a better ideal. My husband also put wheels on one side
so it would be easy access to move around. The kids love this and I do
to.
Brenda of Ohio
"Ask the Preschool Teacher" Staff
Dear Water and Sand Play,
We don't have a sand/water table at our school.
I was given the idea to get the big, clear plastic storage containers with
lids and fill them with water, sand, etc. I haven't done it yet, but
thought it was a great idea!
Peg
"Ask the Preschool Teacher" Staff
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