How Sand Tables Can Improve Outdoor Play

Sensory Play

Sandboxes and nature tables are ideal for sensory play. Sensory play is defined as any type of play that stimulates the sense of touch, smell, hearing, sight or taste along with movement and balance. Both children and adults learn and retain information better if it is presented during the engagement of their senses. Science has proven that this type of play builds nerve connections in the brain’s pathways and remains essential for cognitive growth. Sensory play is particularly encouraged for children with special needs. For children with autism, engaging the senses helps develop processing systems and can improve cooperation and communication. By pushing their hands through the sand and soils, children are often able to calm themselves and find comfort. Young children will begin to show signs of improvement to their sensory vocabulary, using words like rough, soft, gritty or dry. This contributes to the overall refinement of language and communication skills.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education

Nature tables, bowls and boxes can be used for learning or just for fun. Fill them with different types of soils, sand or even water for some models. Educators can use these tools to take environmental and ecological learning to the most ideal space --outside! This kind of hands-on learning is perfect for lessons on mathematical and scientific concepts. For example, the motion of water flow through dirt can teach about erosion. Sand and soil play can also be used to explain volume, shapes and the physics of building and structures. Teaching simple, basic science can begin as early as preschool and well into grade school. It's never too soon to work on STEM education and environmental studies. By introducing these concepts early on, children will show a higher level of critical thinking and will be more prepared in future higher learning.

How to Play

There are a lot of creative ways to learn and have fun with an outdoor classroom setting. AAA State of Play wants to make sure everyone is efficiently using sand and soil features for their most important purposes. Here are a few examples or activities using our selection of nature tables and sandboxes.

• Scavenger Hunt- Bury items of your choice in the sand and give each child a list of things to look for.
• Sand Bakery- Using sand tools, DIY sand paint, colorful popsicle sticks, etc., encourage kids to make cakes, breads and cookies at their little sandbox bakery.
• Volcano- Do the classic spewing volcano experiment by building up a volcano in sand or soil and pour baking soda and vinegar into the hole.
• Gardening- Cut up artificial plants and flowers and let children plant them in the soil.
• Soil Experiments- Teach about water absorption, flooding, soil types and more by adding various soils to the tables and providing guidelines for science experiments.

 Find more about the author:  Kim Hart