My students need a sand and water play table to engage our young children in meaningful learning.
FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Cidade's classroom raised $175
This project is fully funded
My Students
Water and sand is one of the basic raw materials for purposeful play. Water and sand center can be the catalyst for building concepts, developing language, and promoting social skills.
My preschool class consists of all special needs students.
My students have disabilities that include developmental delays, speech impairments and Autism. Many of the students in our school have parents in the military. We also have middle to low income families in our school community.
My Project
Water and/or sand play is a mini playground. It is hands on learning through experience. Even children who do not ordinarily dig in the sand at the beach will find it fun to measure, sift, and pour the sand from one container to another. When it is filled with water, the basin becomes a doll bathtub or an ocean for a sailor. What is learned? A child has a practical math lesson in fractions when she pours a cup full of sand into a two-cup container. It explains the concept faster and more clearly than a detailed discussion or worksheet. Fine-motor skills are also being developed as the student washes a tea set or maneuvers a cup full of sand into a sifter. Other skills learned are: eye-hand coordination, cause and effect (For example, what happens if I put a sponge in the water? What happens if I squeeze the sponge?), science, social skills, communication skills... And most important, it's fun. It is engaging.
Water and sand play involve the body, thus.."The body learns ten times faster than the brain and forgets ten times slower.
If you want to change the brain, change the body." Perry, Bruce MD. Students will benefit from this experience of sand and water play over doing worksheets, videos or lectures. Water and sand touch touch touch!
There is no right or wrong way to play with sand and water, so each child experiences success.
Half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Cidade and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.