Young children are naturally curious, creative risk-takers. We can nurture their natural instincts to question, build, and solve problems by offering them playful STEM challenges. At preschool, students have lots of time in the block center and at the light table to tinker and build. By the time they get to elementary school time for play is…
STEM
Light Table Building Challenge
Something recently caught my eye at the craft store. (It was AC Moore, but I imagine that you could find them anywhere.) They had a display of transparent picnic products — plates, pitchers, bowls, utensils, etc. I am always drawn to cheap transparent “toys” because I know that they look great on the light table….
Magna-Tiles on the Light Table
Magna-Tiles are a versatile and wonderful toy. We had the chance to play with them for the first time and the light table was the perfect surface! The students were so interested in the colors and shapes. They spent time lining them up and piling them on top of each other. As they became more…
Exploring Capacity
This simple light table center — transparent pony beads and tiny clear plastic cups with lids from the dollar store — created an engaging math activity for our preschoolers! Preschoolers just love to fill things up, don’t they?! Whether it’s the cups in the kitchen or bowls in the rice table, the simple act of…