Who and What Will You Discover in the Tray?

Materials:

• Sensory bins or shallow trays

• Rice, beans, sand, or kinetic sand

• Small story-related objects (e.g., ocean animals, shells, buttons, beads)

• Child-safe tweezers, tongs, or fingers

• Optional: picture cards of story objects

Instructions:

• Talk about the story connection and show children the tools they can use to explore (tweezers, tongs, or hands).

• Children will explore by digging, pinching or scooping to find objects. May use tweezers to pick up and transfer items.

• Invite children to explore the tray and find the hidden objects at their own pace. Encourage them to place objects into a bowl once found.

• As children explore, encourage them to talk about what they feel, see, and discover.

Powerful InterACTions - PK3:

• What do you feel in the tray?

• How did you find that object?

• Which tool works best for you? Why?

• How does this material feel in your hands?

• What can you do if it’s hard to pick up? 

Powerful InterACTions - PK4:

• What do you feel in the tray?

• How did you find that object?

• Which tool works best for you? Why?

• How does this material feel in your hands?

• What can you do if it’s hard to pick up?