Early learning goals for toddlers include creative development. "The creative arts, including music, movement, dramatic play, puppetry, painting, sculpture, and drawing, are a crucial part of early childhood. Not only do the arts allow children to express themselves, but creative activity can enhance development of children's skills in literacy, science, math, social studies, and more” according to Spotlight on Young Children and the Creative Arts ” by Derry Koralek [NAEYC, 2005]. Art, therefore, nurtures creativity.
Preschool teachers and daycare providers have the opportunity to promote creative development by providing art activities that explore media and materials and encourage imagination. Creating designs using sand and glue is an excellent example of an opportunity to foster expression, to encourage spontaneity in material usage, and to introduce children to textured materials.
This summer lesson plan includes the materials list, preparation instructions, and procedures for this activity. It also includes age appropriate learning objectives and samples of the simple, supporting verbal cues necessary to encourage participation and support learning.
Sand Art Materials
Fish cut from construction paper (one for each child)
Colored sand in a variety of colors
Glue
Butcher Paper
Sand Art Activity Preparation
Cover the table with butcher paper.
Place all materials on the table.
Procedures for Sand Art
- Invite the children over and explain that today they will be making designs on fish using sand and glue.
- Provide each child with a paper fish and give them the freedom to decorate the fish however they would like.
- Show children how to squeeze glue in designs on the fish.
- Allow children to pour sand in the colors of their choosing on the fish, then shake the sand off to reveal the design.
- Allow to dry completely.
Sand Art Lesson Objectives
Objective 1:
To provide the opportunity for expressive activities by encouraging the children to art using colored sand and glue
Verbal Cue A: Today we are going to make sand art!
Verbal Cue B: Would you like to make designs on the fish?
Objective 2:
To encourage spontaneity in material usage by allowing the children to choose or combine their sand colors.
Verbal Cue A: Which colors would you like choose for to color the fish?
Verbal Cue B: I like the way you are choosing your colors!
Objective 3:
To promote the sharing of art materials to foster social interaction and cooperation
Verbal Cue A: Let’s take turns using the red sand.
Verbal Cue B: Can you pass the glue to Jimmy?
This sand art craft activity is a fun, creative activity that could be used in conjunction with a summer preschool lesson plan. Have fun using a wide variety of colors and encourage sensory discoveries. For more daycare and preschool activities, see Online Preschool Lesson Plans..
Carla Snuggs - As a writer for Suite101.com since 2005, it is a privilege to continue on as theTopic Editor for the subject of Day Care. I received a ...
Join the Conversation