Playing in the sandbox for some kindergarten readiness learning and fun certainly uses hands, so it’s another handy idea. Once kids have learned not to eat the sand, they can also explore digging, scooping, filling and dumping. This definitely appeals to kids because they do it over and over.
There are many kindergarten readiness skills that kids can learn and practice in the sandbox:
- Kids are observing how sand pours. It does not keep the shape of the container, but flows out.
- They are also discovering about more and less.
- There’s lots of coordination involved and all that activity helps develop muscles.
- Imagination gets some exercise too as the sandbox becomes roads, a kitchen or castles.
- A connection to nature is fostered with sand play.
These are only a few of the ways that sand play promotes children’s development. Do you remember the book All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten? To quote Robert Fulghum: Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sand pile….” Is it handy for you to include some sand play soon for your child?