Montessori sensory tubs: Sand play without a sandbox

June 18, 10:10 AMChicago Montessori Learning ExaminerJocelyn Scotty

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Montessori sensory activities encourage exploration

One of the key elements in a Montessori environment is a child’s exposure to sensorial experiences, those things which engage the senses in a way that allows a child to explore and discover the world around her. Why does a child love to take off her shoes and squish her toes in a sandy beach or a playground sandbox? It’s all a wonderful sensory experience.

It is easy to make individual tubs for a child to explore and engage in a hands-on experience with a variety of sensory touch activities.

Choose different clear plastic storage boxes with lids in a size appropriate for the child and space. Fill each box 1/4 to 1/2 way with your sensory items and be sure to have a supply of child sized measuring cups, spoons, scoops, tongs and funnels available. The manipulation of these tools will encourage concentration and improves fine motor dexterity.

Sandy tub: use play sand, corn meal, ground coffee or soil

Smooth Tub: use dried beans, small pebbles or dried corn kernels

Slick Tub: use very small items like uncooked rice, bird seed, table salt or glitter

Slippery Tub: float a few small bars of soap in water

Soft Tub: use craft poms, cotton balls, feathers or marshmallows

Rough Tub: use uncooked pasta shapes, sea shells, dry leaves or pine cones

Wet Tub: use shaving cream, Jell-O or finger paint

Cool Tub: use ice cubes, frozen peas or snow

Tips for Success:
1. Have only one sensory tub out at a time and do not tell the child the name of it, let her discover the sensation on her own and use her own language to describe it.

2. Place a washable plastic tablecloth or placemat under the sensory tub before play begins for ease of clean up.

3. Place the lid on the sensory tub and have the child shake it for a completely different sensory experience.

4 Children should always be supervised during sensory play as most items in tubs are choking hazards for very young children.

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