Learning using Sand

Children often prefer being outside and it's certainly healthy to spend time out of doors. Sand is an important part of early years settings as it can be used in so many different ways and provides many opportunities for learning. Wet sand and dry sand behave quite differently and we like to offer opportunities to explore both. Pretend cooking and food play are very popular. Children draw on their own experiences from home and school and use the sand to represent different kinds of food using their imagination. These small scoops attract the children's interest and because they vary in size, they help children start to become aware of capacity and quantity as they play. Working around a tray like this also fosters interaction between children as they notice what other children are doing, share resources and talk to each other. Adults can help by offering suggestions and new vocabulary as well as encouraging children to engage with their peers.