Preschool Science and Fine Motor Skill Development through Land vs Ocean Sensory Bin

Welcome to Becca's Heart for Early Childhood Education blog! I'm Becca S. This posting will be to share a great science sensory bin idea that can be used for Earth Day or at any time throughout the year when you want your littles to distinguish that the Earth has 2 basic 'parts' to its surface--land and ocean.

The colors blue and green are going to be color codes for this sensory bin:

Above: this photo shows the supplies I'm going to use: purple plastic bin to hold everything; sorting cups for each color/Earth part; and small items to sort out into either bowl; crimped gift bag filler to help fill the bin; blue and green glass beads that are found in the flower arranging/crafting supplies at different stores; and some glitter painted foam 'berries' that are used as well for sorting or not sorting.

I always like to give young children a push or should we call it a puzzler to their young cognitive skills and purposely ask or point or include something that doesn't belong. In this case, it is the lavender/grape colored foam 'berries'. The children shouldn't be putting these into either bowl. Take time for teacher talk and ask the children about 'blue' water. If they haven't been to an ocean, ask about a river that is near where you all live. Maybe your area has a lake that is popular. Same for the 'green' land. Ask if they know the name of their town, street, state, etc. Do they know the name of their country? Do they know that there are other countries?

A globe would be a great asset to have in your science explore station space. If you don't have a globe, maybe you can display a world map image that will show kids the different continents and oceans. Make sure to let them know where their country is and their location within the country on that image. Help them make connections. Earth Day can be about the very basics especially for young children's minds. Keep it simple.

Make sure children have several opportunities throughout a week to use this sensory bin. Older kids could have clip art images to sort of items that represent different waters and land features: pond, lake, river, mountain, hill, meadow, etc.

The children will be strengthening their fine motor skills by pinching the glass beads and blue 'berries' to pick up and place into the appropriate bowl. For the science skill development other than they are getting sensory/tactile/touching development, make sure there is an exchange of dialogue about land and water.

Teaching and learning in the USA heartland,
Becca S

Illinois teaching certifications:
FACS grades 6-12
Birth to grade 3/ECE

approval:
general science grades 5-8