Mad Science Monday, Pesach Edition: Digging in the Desert STEM Challenge

 The days preceding Pesach are a time of cleaning out cupboards, kitchens, refrigerators and freezers in many Jewish homes around the world. My boys have eaten more cereal and french fries in the past week than they have over the course of the entire year! They are quite pleased with this. I have such a pet peeve for food waste and it is painful to just "throw things out" that we won't use. I did, admittedly, throw out the boys' snow balls that I rediscovered in the back of the freezer from January! And while many are hesitant toward using food products in play for a variety of personal, cultural and/or allergy reasons, I think there are times when a shot at life in a sensory table is better than a shot across the room into the trash barrel. So the good news? We used up the flour and the bottle of baby oil that had been in our medicine cabinet since Y was born so I could get the sticky goo off my skin from the bandage over my c-Section wound! And, we made our own sand dough. 
I would admonish that this is a messy activity more suited for outdoor use (which is what we did) or indoor use when you are not trying to clean your homes of chametz before Pesach. The recipe for sand dough is incredibly simple:

Ingredients:
8 cups all purpose flour
1 cup baby oil

I will say that I did not measure my ingredients at all even given the ratio of the original recipe. I honestly just dumped 2 opened bags of flour into our sensory table bin and subsequently emptied the remaining contents of the bottle of baby oil we had. On its own, the dough was a bit crumbly and powdery but when squeezed between the hands or molded into ice cube trays, cups and even mega blocks, it held together to make shapes and bricks that the boys could use to build.

It is perfect for sand castles, igloos and even pyramids. Why, oh why, do we still teach our children that the Jewish people enslaved in Egypt were forced to build the pyramids?! Oh gosh, I don't know. Historical timelines show this to be impossible and the liturgy itself states that the Jewish people were building warehouses for Pharoah, not pyramids. Nonetheless, pyramid building brings forth a fascinating geometrical and engineering challenge for little ones and so we continue...

S and Y were so excited to get outside and dig in our desert! They have grown accustomed to a new routine of waking up from afternoon rest time, eating a quick dinner and bolting out the front or back door. They both ran right over to the sensory table and began to dig, fill, shape and mold the dough. I set up the bin quite simply at first, with just a couple of shovels, ice cube trays, some mega blocks and a little fisher price construction worker. We have added some less played with toys from indoors into our backyard setup so that they can take on new life and function while I try to function at keeping our garden alive this season. The boys LOVE using mega blocks, construction trucks, dinosaurs and little people outside now! And they had just as much fun using them in our sand dough table as well.

I overheard S singing a popular Pesach children's song as he played:
Dig, dig, dig, dig your shovel deep
Dig, dig, dig, there's no time for sleep
For it's work, work, work,
Every day and every night
For it's work, work, work
When it's dark and when it's light.

He added that he was very "happy to be working." And then he took to calling me Pharoah instead of Mommy. I'm taking this as an overall compliment, I think...

This was such a fun activity that since the weather was predicted to remain dry, I decided to cover our sensory bin with a trash bag overnight and leave it for the boys to play with again.

Getting outside is such a natural way to incorporate science into your play and learning routine. STEM challenges, sensory play and nature exploration in and of itself all promote skills in engineering, observation, experimentation and critical thinking. The boys? Well, they mostly think they're playing and they are having a great time! So whether you are looking to empty those last bags of flour (and I'm banking that you could probably also use another type of oil) or whether you will save this one in the vault for after Pesach and build a backyard beach and sand castle, homemade sand dough is an easy and cost effective way to build, learn and play before Pesach and all year round!

Happy Working Playing!

A Peek Inside Our Spring Themed Playroom

I know, I know, it's not Spring yet, but I just couldn't wait any longer! We've all got the itch to get outside and dig in the dirt and until then, we've been happily playing, creating and daydreaming about our future garden inside our playroom. Some people get into Spring cleaning; I get into Spring playroom setup--to each their own! So come on in and take a little walk through our Spring themed playroom updates... You might even stay and play for a while!





Small World Play & Literacy:

One of our very favorite books for early Spring is Sibylle von Olfers' The Story of the Root Children. This tale lends itself so beautifully to storytelling and small world play. I often use our top shelf (pictured to the left) as a Nature Shelf, particularly during seasonal shifts. Stocked with the book and a couple of others in that genre, some natural, manufactured and handmade loose parts, the space is ready for small world play and storytelling! The boys enjoy arranging materials on the shelf and also carrying them to the rug or table to play with in a larger space. They can also add in other building materials and accessories as they wish. As the season continues, the shelf will shift along with it...

Old Man Winter is there for now and the Root Children are still fast asleep under Mother Earth's careful watch...

but soon enough, Spring will bring forth new surprises and wonders both found outdoors and handcrafted inside.

Dramatic Play: Flower & Garden Shop

As Purim is also coming up in two weeks, our dramatic play area is still stocked with props and materials for building castles, dressing up, puppetry, acting out fairy tales and cooking up delicious meals at the Three Bears' Cafe. I did add in a Spring element as well with the addition of our Flower & Garden Shop...

We used some printables and inspiration from Pocket of Preschool's Flower Shop and Garden Shop Dramatic Play set. S really loved using the order form to check off which type and/or color of flower the customer (me) wanted to order...and I really loved that I managed to sneak in some pencil practice!

S is busy planting the daffodils I ordered in our DIY No-Sew Planting Set as Y uses our make-shift garden hose to water the growing flowers.

Y is having a go at the pencil taking flower orders...

Our shelves are also stocked with color sorted (and labeled) cups of flowers for planting, picking, arranging, selling and purchasing as well as a collection of gardening tools, gloves, watering cans, pots and vases and even a basket of actual seeds with a couple of magnifying glasses to encourage closer observation...

S had the idea to use the seeds in dramatic play for planting. He is sprinkling sunflower seeds on his plot!

They need lots of water to grow!

Sensory Table: Planting Station

Filled with assorted dried beans and stocked with pots, gardening tools and artificial flowers, our Planting Station Sensory Bin is the perfect Spring themed extension of our flower and garden shop dramatic play. Both boys have had a lot of fun scooping, raking, filling and planting in this area.

Art & Writing Center:
I must admit that while I am full of ideas for our Art & Writing Center, it is the area that most often gets neglected and, well, a little bit stale. We do a lot of art and pre-writing activities and the boys do go through phases where they are particularly interested in some of the materials, but I don't generally change it up as often as some of the other areas and everyone is always very excited when I do!

A bit out of the box, here is our collection of Fairy Garden Loose Parts for use in art and design. The boys can use the artificial flowers, furniture, stones, mosaic tiles and small fairy play accessories on their own, with the mirror trays, with playdough or even in their growing Fairy Gardens (which I will post on at a later date).

One of the best ways to freshen up a stale art and writing scene, I've found, is to change up the paper! As odd as that sounds, writing, drawing and painting on a medium that is of a different size, shape, color and/or texture really encourages artists and writers of all ages and interest levels. Here, we are stocked with some seed catalogs for cutting/collage, graph paper for garden plans and design and fingerpainting paper (glossy in finish) cut in half with rounded edges. Off to the side, I've stocked our Stick Bound Nature Journals (another DIY home project I'll post on in the future).

Coloring books are a great way to relax, create art and practice fine motor and pre-writing skills. Very often, they are stored away on a bookshelf here and sometimes, even when they are out and available, they are used once or twice with crayons and then re-shelved and abandoned. With the addition of watercolors, brushes and plastic cups (recycled from some small flower plants), a new element of wonder and creativity is added. The boys can use the watercolors with the Spring and nature themed coloring books or choose some watercolor paper instead (also in the drawer).
They are able to take a cup to the bathroom or kitchen to fill with water as needed, empty it when they are done and help wash and replace items to the drawer.

Our writing drawer is stocked with Spring themed writing paper from Pocket of Preschool's Spring Math & Literacy Centers set, assorted sizes and colors of cardstock, blank cards and envelopes, a notepad, butterfly and caterpillar shaped papers and a collection of Spring and gardening themed stickers. I've found both boys flock to do writing and drawing the most when there are many options for supplies and mediums to use!

We love Kwik Sticks here (top drawer) and oil pastels--both of which work beautifully in conjunction with watercolor paints for gorgeous resist art. The middle drawer is stocked with some floral and Spring themed rubber stamps and washable black ink. The boys can stamp away and add color in the form of colored pencils, pastels, watercolor or whatever strikes their fancy. I especially love my recycled sushi tray collection. It's a great way to transport items from our shelves to the table to work and also great for collecting and transferring other small objects around the house for use in play. These are also useful for painting projects, playdough and "portion control" in small loose parts or scraps used for collage. That is an item that is always accessible in our art and writing center and they get plenty of use!

As we eagerly await the weather outside to catch up, we've been really enjoying Spring themed play inside with materials both natural and man-made. The boys' wheat grass Fairy Gardens are growing quickly and we've added in a couple of small flowering plants purchased quite inexpensively from Trader Joe's. (There will be more on this, as well, in a future post.) There is much to look forward to as we plan, plant and ease into the season. As Purim comes and passes, we will be phasing out some of the play things and materials related to that theme and making space for additional Spring related activities and themes related to other upcoming events. Until then, there is much to be excited for both outdoors and in!

We'll be back soon...

Think Spring & Happy Playing!

Clay Play!

Often when we think about using clay with children, especially young children, we conjure up images of colorful modeling compounds, playdough, maybe even other types of homemade or store bought doughs and sensory materials. Indeed, we have dug our hands into a number of types of doughs and clays here, but there is something truly special and unique about using real clay with children.

Real clay comes from the earth. It is cold to the touch. It is heavy and viscous and requires very strong fine motor skills and strength to manipulate. It can be dry and crumbly and with the addition of water, revived to silky and smooth and malleable. It is most often found in shades of grey, off-white or brown/terra cotta--not the bright and bold primary colors we usually think of when using clay with young children. It is messy. It is glorious. It is truly unique! And while we most often associate real clay with larger hands and "finished products," its use with smaller hands is all about the experience and exploration.

I am forever looking for ways to creatively use our sensory table at home. The boys both love to spend time here individually as well as together. And many of our play activities here could be repeated again and again. I especially liked the results of our side by side set up last week using smaller bins within the table for kinetic sand and kinetic rock. I decided to leave this particular structure and introduce two side by side invitations to explore with clay. One benefit to the smaller bins here is the ability to close up shop and keep the clay from drying out. Another is the ability to transport to a table or even outside now that last week's frigid temperatures have given way to sunny days of 60 and 70 degree weather. The results of this setup were nothing short of phenomenal to watch and even join in on!

When using clay with young children, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Little hands use little bits. Real clay can be pricey. The small bin or a small tray setup allow for a designated work-space and can also help navigate how much clay to use. Remember, the small blob in the middle may look meager to you, but less is more with little hands. Clay is a harder material to manipulate than typical playdoughs designed for young children. They will likely need to break off even smaller pieces to manipulate and mold. Alternatively, you can prep small clay balls or slabs in advance--however, I encourage you to also include your able bodied and eager little ones in the process of discovering how to divide up a larger blob into smaller ones. 
• Offer less at first; add more later. When it comes to clay, I first introduce it alone. No tools, no add-ins. The exploration stage is so incredible with our youngest sculptors that nothing else is needed. Then, I might add in some simple tools, perhaps a small jar of water (water + clay = AMAZING). Perhaps next you will add in some loose parts, natural materials, small toys... 
• Address the mess: If the messiness of this activity is overwhelming, you may wish to use clay in a sensory table or over a drop cloth on your own table/floor. You might even feel most comfortable taking it outdoors to work with. If you or your children are uncomfortable with your hands being covered in clay, having clean up options like wet rags or a basin of water or proximity to a sink can help.
• Process over product: I encourage you and your young sculptors to follow your whim--if creating something to be permanent feels right, air drying and displaying the results can be lovely. Many times, however, our clay play is more about the process and experience of exploring with it. Then, when you are done, seal it in a bag or air tight container and store for future use.
• Think outside of the box and allow children to explore clay not just with their hands but with their feet! Take a blob outside on a warm sunny day, take off your socks and shoes, and discover the unique feeling of cool, wet clay squishing through your toes!
• Follow their lead and join in! I invite you to sit back and observe child's play with clay. It is truly an extraordinary experience to see--and also an extraordinary one to join in on. Get your own hands dirty and dig right in. 

If you are new to using clay with children or just looking for some more inspiration, I love the article Clay: Don't Forget the Explore Stage at Fairy Dust Teaching and for those using clay in a large group or classroom setting, read Never Stress During Clay Again on the art of education University

There are many ways to explore with clay. You can keep it very open ended and child-led in this way or you can work with more directed projects, such as introducing pinch pots, experimenting with prints and stamping in clay using loose parts and so much more... Start off simple and see where it goes. It's also something worth bringing out on repeated occasions, even after a bit of a hiatus. And if the idea of having an open clay exploration station in your home or classroom is overwhelming or impractical, have it stored away for times and spaces that do work for you. Stay tuned for future posts on clay play and until then...

Focus in on the cute little dudes engaged in clay play and not the enormous pile of stuff
on the dining room table in the background....

Happy Playing!

Digging in the Dirt: Simple Split-Side Sensory Bin

Confession: I always thought split side sensory tables were a waste of space! When I would see classrooms with these, I couldn't help but wonder how the children had enough space to play on either side. I always opted for the larger single bin tables in my own classrooms and at home as well. Today I am a changed woman! I have seen the light! Or at least the occasional use for a slit side setup in your sensory table. Why?

• because siblings and friends don't always want to play together in the same space (let us all recall the aftermath of the 3 Beans Fight of 2019...oy, I shudder when I think of stepping upon another lentil...)
• because sometimes you have a small amount of a particular sensory play material
• because sometimes you do want more than one type of filler out but you don't want them to necessarily intermingle (or at least right away)

All of these factors played into my desire to set up a split side sensory table this week using kinetic sand and kinetic rock for a simple but playful Digging in the Dirt bin. I had only a small amount of each material and could already foresee the challenges of S and Y both trying to play with one at the very same time in the large basin of our sensory table. I also only have that larger sensory table. So when it came to setting up a split side activity, I got creative on a shoestring budget and used some clear 5.5Qt Sterilite file boxes I have at home. These are inexpensively found in office supply stores or the office supply aisle of Walmart. They are great for tabletop or traveling messy play and work amazingly on top of the light table for this purpose as well. I've used them to transport sensory play activities to the nature based playgroup I run during the spring and summer months and, um, I guess you can use them for file storage, too! The final benefit to these is the snap on lid--great for easy travel and also for closing up shop in between play sessions (especially for materials that may dry out).

I kept our setup very simple. The kinetic sand had a collection of plastic cars (I love these since they are dishwasher safe and easy to clean) and the kinetic rock had a set of construction themed toys that actually came all together (an impulse buy from Toys r'Us when they were going out of business last year).

The boys played so nicely side by side and we even took the bins outside to play on a whim after their nap one evening. Boy was it ever easy to snap and go with these little boxes as opposed to shlepping the whole sensory table out front alongside two eager little construction workers underfoot! And if you don't have a sensory table at all or the space for one, I can't recommend these little file boxes enough. They stack away neatly (even under a bed) and can also store your sensory materials in between use. In a classroom or home setup, it can be a real lifesaver to have a few of these ready to grab and go on an unexpected rainy day.

What about mixing of materials? It happens. S actually asked if he could mix the two together and I explained that once they were mixed you couldn't unmix them. I am, however, thinking a little science experiment at the very end of our go with this might be fun since a little bit of mixing is kind of inevitable and kinetic rock sand might just catch on!

I love that we do have the space here (albeit limited) to keep sensory play a part of our daily routine. I also find that I am constantly striving to reinvent the wheel and get more and more creative and elaborate with my table setups. It helps to remember that simple is still fun and that less is often more. If a setup does need more, trust me, your little players will let you know! S usually asks before adding things in. Y is a little sneakier. For little construction work lovers, a transportation theme or a community helpers theme, a small collection of cars and trucks really inside of some play sand, dough, dirt, dried beans or rice, coffee grounds or gravel really is enough to encourage and spark meaningful play. Whether you're digging inside, outdoors or on the go, it's a pretty safe guarantee that you're little ones will be happy playing!

A Peek Inside Our Playroom: Mid-winter Updates

There are only 59 days left until Spring, but who's counting? This time of year, right around Tu B'Shevat (which begins tonight, into tomorrow), I start to feel a wee bit antsy. I waver between re-reading Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series and seed catalogs. This year, I combined the two and read The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder: The Frontier Landscapes that Inspired the Little House Books by historian and master gardener, Marta McDowell. The somewhat unpredictable winter climate of Virginia has us in and out, out and in. When we are out, we are happily playing in our play garden, picking up and collecting sticks, whipping up delicacies in our mud kitchen or watching the birds enjoy our seed. And when we are in, I want to hunker down and handcraft.

This time of year truly beckons me to craft and create, whether it's painting wooden peg dolls, needle-felting, making melt and pour beeswax candles or lotion bars, knitting, sewing or embroidery. I also long to be surrounded by greenery and plant life. In reality, I am surrounded by little children and not much is green and lively out there. So I bring a bit of green indoors and the children get busy handcrafting as well--in their own way!

Our Birdwatching Basket has meandered to our
Nature Table, along with some toy birds, nests and a
favorite collection of succulents for them to nest in!

I've written a bit before on handcrafts with children. I used to reserve my time while the kids napped or slept for working on projects (and often I still do), but the kids are very curious about what I do. They also want to help and try it out! Neither of the boys are quite ready for knitting or sewing by hand, but there are things they can do now and like to do. S is probably ready to learn finger knitting this year and work more independently with embroidery and both boys really like stringing buttons and beads onto pipe cleaners and working with yarn and fabric in their own creative ways. These are fabulously useful loose parts to include in an art center! So with some updates to our shared space and play area, we are all ready to go when the weather outside or early sunset dictate that our time be spent indoors.

little hands are encouraged to please touch these plants and the boys have a great time hiding little birds among the foliage

Our sensory table is simple and a bit of a Tu B'Shevat/recycling themed extension: dried beans and items from our recycling bin are combined with a couple of scoops for pouring, transferring, building, constructing and more...

Our art and writing center are stocked and ready for the boys to access their favorite activities along with some new ones...

S is really into writing these days and, little brother Y loves to follow suit! They both especially love using the pencil sharpener--this is quite handy for me, since I have a lot of pencils I need sharpened. S also loves cutting papers from our scrap paper bin. For a long time, he stored these in the tiny trash can and threw them away, but a couple of weeks ago, Y started digging through it for pieces to glue to a collage. I added in a small scraps box they can use for "pretty" scraps that can be used once more and now everyone is happy, even the trees!

I always keep these small drawers stocked with some coloring materials and small papers, cards and bookmarks. I change out the coloring supplies every so often to keep it exciting. S and Y LOVE tape. S was so happy when we got a tape dispenser last year, and it's definitely been a more economical way to keep up with both boys' tape habits than the small rolls. I love keeping recycled sushi trays available for paint, small loose parts/collage parts (great for portion control) and transferring a smaller amount of crayons, markers or other materials to a table or work space.

Our writing drawers change out with our themes (currently one drawer has pet/vet themed materials to go with our dramatic play center and the other one has winter themed materials). The bottom drawer has become home to glue sticks, larger scissors or other types of tape, hole punches, pencil grips and other necessary odds and ends.

Both boys love using pipe cleaners and buttons. Stringing buttons on pipe cleaners and otherwise bending, twisting and manipulating the wire or using buttons for sorting, sewing, etc. are great fine motor building activities. Each of the boys can use the materials in their own way and at their own level.

Our embroidery basket has a couple of hoops fit with burlap (great for early sewers) and a tin with blunt size 13 tapestry needles, a few colors of embroidery thread and a tape measure. This is more geared toward S's ability level right now, but Y can use the materials with my help as well.

Ah, those scraps of leftover yarn that are too small for even a one-skein project. In different colors and textures, the boys love to touch and unravel it and pretend to knit using large, blunt wooden knitting needles. They can probably also begin to help me unravel and wind my own skeins of yarn at this point!

The Fabric Basket gets used in a variety of ways--from becoming a blanket or outfit for a small doll to a costume piece for one of the boys or "dirty laundry to be washed" or even a rag for cleaning or wrap for a gift or parcel of food. It's also a great way to use the bits of fabric I have leftover from projects or favorite pieces of old clothes, blankets or other textiles we couldn't completely part with once they got too worn out to use or donate.

I do have visions of Spring and starting seeds and basking in the warm sun. But there's no use in simply waiting and watching. There is plenty to do in the meantime! In fact, surrounded by a bit of the outdoors brought in and my family, I can really come to enjoy the slower, gentler pace of winter. .There is a a beautiful rhythm of knitting needles clanking, thread pulling up and through and back down and through, and even the front door opening and closing as we go in and out, out and in, all the while happily playing!

A bit of "out" brought in for winter along with some forced amaryllis bulbs--some faring better than others...

Birds of a Feather Flock Together, No Matter the Weather!

I must admit that I miss my garden. For all the work and toil and struggle, I find myself drooling a bit over seed catalogs and dreaming of spring even in the midst of a very mild (so far) winter. So when I posted this sentiment on a gardening group, I got a lot of suggestions to take up bird watching this season. We [I] really took our time winterizing our garden, so I like to think I did the birds a bit of a favor in leaving them some plants and seeds to enjoy as the seasons shifted here. After we did revamp the play garden, we included a new bird feeder, some bird seed treats, and made sure to clean out and refill our bird bath (a shallow pie tin layered with colorful stones and mosaic tiles and filled with water). Our front garden became a hub for feathered friends (who are now eating us out of house and home) and our dining room windows gave us front row seats to the extravaganza!

I know, I know, I said no toys at the table. But technically a bird-watching basket is not a toy, right? I decided to bend my own rules and stock a basket with some tools and inspiration for bird-watching through our dining room windows. The boys (and adults) do know that we need to finish eating and wipe our hands before bird-watching, but having our basket stocked and ready makes it the perfect table top accessory this time of year--and also easy to transport outside when we want to take the show on the road.

I included a set of binoculars, a couple of prism viewers, some local bird photo cards, a few interesting feathers we found and collected, a magnifying glass and a selection of bird books and guides. Many of these books were purchased secondhand at thrift stores or the library at our botanical garden center. You could also include a small sketch book and some colored pencils if you wish.

Meanwhile, in the sensory table... I poured a layer of birdseed, added in some scoops, cups, funnels, nests and plastic birds The boys have had so much fun scooping, pouring, sifting and playing! And I no longer have to bend down under that table to refill the birdfeeder [every other day!] as an added bonus...

Our visiting feathered friends remind me that life exists beyond spring and summer. Winter is a season, too! And not just a season for waiting. It is a season fro watching. For feasting and flying and gathering with family and friends. Bird-watching is a wonderful family activity to take up any time of year and all year long. You can also enliven your indoor world by including fresh cut flowers, houseplants and/or forcing bulbs on your kitchen or dining room table. Birds of a feather flock together, no matter the weather!

Happy Playing!

Three "Cool" Winter Sensory Play Activities

Winter is a season full of sensory opportunities. Cold, wet snow, smooth ice, prickly pine needles and fragrant evergreens-- all the unique textures, scents and sensations of the season abound outdoors. And when it's too cold and snowy to get out, you can warm up inside with one of these three fun sensory play activities:

In this simple sensory table setup, cotton balls are "snow," and a couple of empty recycled plastic bottles have been turned into snowmen using permanent markers and a bit of yarn for a scarf. I tossed in some plastic snowflake decorations as well. With the addition of a couple of sets of large tweezers, some plastic shovels and cauldrons, the boys can practice scooping and transferring cotton snowballs into the larger pots or using their fingers and/or tweezers to pinch and poke them into the snowman bottles. The real fine motor challenge comes when trying to get all of those cotton balls back out of the bottle one by one! As simple as it is to set up, it's a winner of an activity and has kept both boys busy at play!

Here we are "leaving the house" and temporarily distracted by
a thoughtfully set up but simple and inexpensive sensory play opportunity!

 Small loose parts from our winter themed tinker tray and some snow white sparkly playdough were the main ingredients of this invitation to build a snowflake activity. I provided some snowflake shaped cookie cutters, rolling pins, plastic knives and also a collection of glass gems and mosaic tiles, winter themed paper straws (cut in half), Q-tips and metal hex nuts. I made our peppermint scented snow white playdough following my favorite stove-top playdough recipe but substituting in corn starch for flour. I also added in some peppermint extract and silver glitter after it was done cooking. To be totally honest, I was not a fan of the texture of this dough afterward. It is a bit harder/crumblier than the typical version of the recipe. It is, however, a vibrant white (which using flour will not yield) and allergy safe for those who are severely sensitive to gluten.

It can be stored in a ziplock or airtight container just as you would store regular homemade playdough. The boys are far less picky about playdough than I am, so they have returned to use it again and again as we keep it ready in our STEAM Cart playdough drawer.



 We also love incorporating sensory and small world play here. While many times our sensory table is used solely for scooping, transferring, pouring and exploring, sometimes the addition of some small world play objects and loose parts can introduce a beautiful element of storytelling and dramatic play to the scene. We used play sand and glitter for the "snow" base of this Arctic animal winter wonderland, complete with red sleds, snowmen and some tiny shovels. Finishing touches included some small trees, a "hibernation cave" made from a recycled container with a section cut out from one side and a collection of "ice" chunks (glass gems, stones and mosaic tiles).

Sensory play is such a great way to warm up this winter season! We'll be back with some toasty winter story stretchers and a great wintry process art experience in the days to follow. Until then...

Happy Playing!

8 Great Chanukah Activities: Day 6 Chanukah Sand Table and Writing Trays

 In the dead cold of winter, you might not be thinking much about the summer days of sandy beaches. Or maybe you are! All the more reason to invite the warmth of the beach into your home, or at least your sensory play experiences for some Chanukah themed fun. Today's post is a two-fer. You get one great sensory bin and one great table time activity for early and pre-writers! Who could ask for anything more? Ok, maybe a beachfront vacation in a tropical climate, since you asked...

Sand feels so good running through your fingers. Pouring, scooping, drawing lines, burying and digging, smoothing and raking... Yes, it's messy. Yes, you will be exfoliating your bare feet or hearing the grit underneath your slippers for days to come (add in some glitter, and you'll be finding it for life). What better way to preserve the beautiful memories of childhood play? (No sarcasm there, I promise...)


In our first activity, Chanukah I-Spy 8 Sand Table, I combined sand, glitter and a collection of assorted Chanukah themed loose parts along with some early math skills for my little guys to explore and play. I created my own poster of clues to hang above the sensory table depicting pictures of each of the objects that were hidden in the sensory bin. My super sleuths would need to dig in and discover

• 8 Chanukah candles
•  8 dreidels 
• 8 sufganiyot (donuts--I used erasers from Oriental Trading Company, but you can use pony beads, pipe cleaners rolled into a ring shape, craft foam, clay or printed/laminated pictures of donuts), 
• 8 latkes (I used small wooden circles, you can substitute in craft foam, cardboard, laminated pictures, etc.)
• 8 oil jugs (I found these little golden goblets in the party favor section of Dollar Tree)
• 8 gelt coins (I used  plastic coins, you can use real ones if you prefer)

I thought initially to also add brushes, magnifying glasses and perhaps some collanders and dishes for sifting and scooping. And then, after burying all the treasure, I decided to wait. Often, introducing less at the beginning of a sensory play experience leads to more. Sure enough, the boys explored first with their hands and then came up with their own add ins from around the house. They are pretty good about asking first before taking something to use in the sensory table and I try to say yes as often as I can. After counting and sorting, S moved on to making a menorah in the sand by arranging and filling the oil jugs with sand an candles. Both boys later got into scooping sand and loose parts with a couple of plastic ice cream scoops into a plastic pitcher and making "Chanukah smoothies." Lots of counting happened as they added ingredients. Donut, dreidel and latke smoothie anyone? Sometimes our sensory tables get a little stale after a few days, but this one has kept everyone busy and engaged all week long!

Sand trays are a popular tool used in classrooms for early and pre-writers. Sand is a fabulous medium for practicing strokes, shapes and letters. Just as easily and quickly as they appear in the sand, the tray can be gently shook or smoothed over and used again. In this simple set up, children are invited to explore and practice the Hebrew letters on the dreidel, nun, gimmel, hey and shin (pey if you are in Israel). A Chanukah candle is provided as the "pen," a set of laminated letters for a visual and a dreidel to spin. Whichever letter it lands on was the letter to be practiced. Want to throw in a mathematical component, too? Provide a chart to document how many times the dreidel lands on each letter. S had a great time spinning, writing and erasing. Then he wanted to practice the letter shin on paper with a pen! Y had a great time using the candle to draw lines and swirls in the sand...and then dumping a bit of sand on the table!

We'll be back tomorrow with your next dose of Chanukah fun! Until then...

Happy Chanukah & Happy Playing!