Sand writing is just one of many different tactile writing tray ideas out there. It’s a fantastic way to encourage students to practice their writing skills. With a few modifications, it’s a perfect Earth Day center for students and recyclable, too!
What are the benefits of Sand Writing?
Writing trays are dry or wet sensory material in a low tray or bin container. Children use their fingers or a tool such as a pencil, paintbrush, or other item to draw, write letters, or form numbers into the sensory material.
Sand writing (or other sensory writing materials) is fantastic in helping with letter formation and handwriting. These writing trays use a tactile sensory strategy to encourage muscle movement and learning in a multi-sensory way. It eliminates the barrier of a pencil or crayon used for letter formation – the students use their fingers to make the movements to create the letters and numeral shapes. Most importantly, sand writing and other sensory trays make letter formation fun and meaningful in a play-based manner.
Sand Writing for Earth Day
To make this sand writing Earth Day-themed, gather the following materials:
- Blue sand
- Shallow trays, box lids, or some other shallow container
- Small Earth erasers
- Earth Day Letter and Number Cards (Listed below)
FREE Earth Day Letter and Number Cards!
Earth Day Letter and Number Cards!
After you subscribe, you will be redirected to the FREE Earth Day Letter and Number Cards. We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
First, download and print out the letter and number cards. Laminate them for durability. Next, shake out a small amount of the sand into the trays. There should be enough to cover the bottom of the tray thoroughly, but not be very deep. Provide the erasers and cards in an attractive way nearby, and watch the magic unfold! Students begin by “writing” the number with their fingers and then follow up by “tracing” it by placing erasers over the lines.
***Note: For students with sensory aversions, it is easy to accommodate this center by providing a paintbrush or craft stick to use in place of the finger. ***
What are some other suitable sensory materials to use in the tray?
A sand writing tray is one example – the sensory material can be wet or dry sand. It doesn’t have to stop at sand, though. Here are some ideas:
- Sand
- Colored Sand
- Kinetic Sand
- Rice
- Salt
- Plain or Dyed Rice
- Play Dough
- Sugar
- Flour
- Aquarium Gravel
- Soil
- Fingerpaint
- Cornmeal
- Slime
- Spices
- Crushed Chalk
In short, if the students can move the material and draw letters in it, then the sensory writing tray is a success!
Check out this Resource from my Shop!
Earth Day Preschool Unit
$10.50Are your preschoolers learning about Earth Day? Do you need circle time lessons to help them understand the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling? This Earth Day Preschool Unit teaches about these important ideas on Earth Day or any day. Ten days of complete circle time lesson plans are done for you!
- 10 circle time lessons
- 10 math, literacy, & fine motor centers
- Emergent Reader Book
- Letter Cards
- Book Recommendations
- BONUS – Plant Hero certificates
More Writing Ideas for Preschoolers
Pre-writing doesn’t have to stop at sand trays! Here are some more easy ideas:
- Tracing Activities
- Salt Trays
- Halloween Trays
- Name Writing Practice for the Whole Year
- Alphabet Write-and-Wipe
Leave a Comment