Preschool Sensory Tables

One of the most frequent requests I get are ideas for preschool sensory tables.

So many of you just don't have the space or means to provide an actual free standing sensory table for your center yet you want to provide the activities that a sensory table offers.

Here is a great idea sent to me recently by one of my readers and it offers a great solution to the problem.

Sensory Table Suggestion

I have limited space, but REALLY wanted to have a sensory table of some sort.

I found that a shallow plastic storage bin with a lid (you can get several sizes of under-the-bed types, some with wheels even) worked really great (on a drop cloth if need be).

It was big enough to allow space for exploration, but small enough to be snapped shut and stored easily.

I could not believe how much the kids loved it! And on a drop cloth you just gather the corners and dump everything back in when you are done which is harder to accomplish with a larger and higher table.

Everyone is sending such wonderful creative ideas for all of us to share.

Keep sending in your ideas and I'll share them here for all.

If you like this idea for preschool sensory tables, give the other ideas in the Preschool Planner a try.

Check them out:

http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html


Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com


PS: If you would like to receive my free newsletter for more ideas for your preschool class, enter your name and address at the site below:

http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html

Preschool Tips - Getting & Maintaining Attention

I hope the beginning of the school year has been good for everyone. So many of you have emailed me asking for preschool tips for getting and maintaining your children's attention.

Try using the element of "surprise" with your children. It is almost foolproof and your kids will respond quickly.

Here are a couple of ideas that have been sent to me from my readers. They use my surprise tactic as well and show just how easy it is to grab their attention.

Hands on Head
When the kids are out of control I simply state loudly, " Everyone, HANDS ON YOUR HEAD!" Its so funny to see, all of them drop what they're doing and place their hands on their heads. They all think it's fun and quickly the room falls in to control.

Preschool Mad Libs
When my kids get restless during story time or singing time I will often incorporate their names, a silly word or phrase, or leave blanks for them to "mad lib" and give me a noun, verb or adjective to spice it up.
For example:
Ask: "Goldilocks sat down on mama bears chair, but it was too... what?" "Scratchy!"
Sing: "Ryan's workin' on the railroad, all the live long day..."

These egocentric little people are always up for being the star of the show, and unless I let it get too silly they usually stop being so fidgety and can focus on what we are doing.

Keep your ideas coming in and I'll share them here for all.

If you like these preschool tips, you'll love the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

Check them out:

http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html


Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com


PS: If you would like to receive my free newsletter for more ideas for your preschool class, enter your name and address at the site below:

http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html