There are many benefits to incorporating a sensory table in your early childhood classroom. Sensory play appeals to all sorts of learners. If you are reluctant to include sensory play in your room, please consider the benefits your students will gain. It enhances your curriculum in the areas of science, social skills, math, character development, language, as well as strengthening fine and gross motor skills. A sensory table can be as simple as a dishpan or as elaborate as a manufactured table purchased from a school supply catalog. It is even possible to have a carpenter or volunteer parent construct one for you to your specifications.
For several years, teachers only put sand and/or water in their sensory tables. Today, however, these tables are used for everything from acorns to yellow yarn! Finding something to put in your table that enhances the curriculum in a specific way will benefit your children’s understanding of new concepts. Here are a few examples. When studying the seasons, try putting ice in the table for winter, Easter grass for spring, leaves/acorns/corn for fall, and sand/seashells for summer. When you are talking about the farm, try wheat kernels, soy beans, beans, or potting soil. For a construction unit, it is fun to put gravel and small construction vehicles in your table. For a unit on colors, there are a variety of items that can be dyed with food coloring to add to the table. These would include such things as rice and pasta. Simply put the rice or pasta in a gallon size sealable bag, add a couple of capfuls of rubbing alcohol, drop in several drops of food coloring, seal the bag, then shake, shake, shake! When the desired color has been achieved, pour the rice or pasta out onto newspapers to dry and voila!
Other interesting suggestions include: birdseed, feathers, cotton balls, oatmeal, rocks, sawdust, Styrofoam “peanuts”, artificial snow, instant mashed potatoes, split peas, alfalfa seed, cornmeal, aquarium gravel, buttons, shredded paper, rock salt, confetti, cedar shavings, and sponges. Of course, you need to be aware of possible allergies and avoid anything too small for children 3 and under. Adding containers and implements to the table only heightens the fun! Try the following items: funnels, scoops, spoons, sieves, tweezers, tongs, empty spice containers, small pitchers, and measuring cups.
Remember to provide towels, smocks, small dust pans/brooms, etc. for cleaning up spills and hands and protecting clothing. Find a way to “close” the table when you do not want it to be used and to keep the chosen items clean. Lids or stop signs work well for this purpose.
Children find sensory play extremely relaxing which is a great benefit for any classroom. It will surely become a favorite activity but also one that enriches your classroom and the learning you are facilitating for your students. Have fun!
