Enabling Environments: Tried and Tested - Sand and water

Sand and water are exciting mediums in which children can explore and expand their natural curiosity about the physical world. They offer a breadth of experiences and opportunities for children to question and solve problems, as well as stimulating the development of key speaking, listening and social skills. Sand and water equipment provides huge potential for learning, ranging from scientific explorations to imaginative small world play.

SPILLING FUNNEL
THE CONSORTIUM
AGE: 3+
PRICE: £4.49
CONTACT: 0845 330 7780 www.theconsortium.co.uk

Fill the funnel with sand and water and off you go spilling - decorate a sand cake, spill castles or draw funny faces.

Tested by Caroline Bennett, childminder, Basingstoke

'The funnel was put in together with the other sand toys in the tray. At the home setting, the children paid scant attention to it because of the weather recently. However, at the toddler group the children's focus was in stark contrast.

'They were eager to ascertain its function and quickly decided that it was for filling with sand. When they did that, of course, nothing happened. I introduced the water to the side partition and the sand flowed from the base, much to their surprise.

'The children took great delight in ascertaining the optimum proportions of water and sand to create a good flow. They created some interesting patterns and were eager to share ideas and theories as to what was happening.

'They discussed ideas of how to use the sand flow and compared each other's efforts. When the funnel became blocked, they worked together to find a solution and experimented with proportions of sand to water for an optimum flow.

'There were some older children even discussing where the water was disappearing to and how much water needed to be added to the sand box before it might stop working.

'The younger ones were supported by both their peers and adults. Shape recognition, pre-writing skills and 3D concepts, as well as the scientific analysis described, were all prevalent during the session.

'It is good value. Although there is little to the manufacturing process of the product, the potential learning opportunities are vast and are available to a wide age range of children. A kitchen funnel and water would not work as efficiently.'

Star Rating: ***** - Excellent

WATER PARK STARTER SET
REFLECTIONS ON LEARNING
AGE: 3+
PRICE: £39.99
CONTACT: 01732 225850 www.reflectionsonlearning.co.uk

A water set comprising six tracks, a pond, a waterwheel, a watering can and a trowel

Tested by Bewbush Nursery, Bewbush Children Centre, West Sussex

'The product is brightly coloured and in pieces, so you can build up a water trail to come down a slope. Although the product is expensive, our children greatly enjoyed the experience of playing and experimenting with the water park. We would consider buying it. However, I think you would need to purchase more track to extend the play.

'It was a popular piece of equipment and was much enjoyed by staff and children. The children were able to see what happened when water was poured from a height and how quickly it moved.

'We introduced it in small group time with a small group of children and have continued to use it this way.

'Water play is completely a hands-on experience that is open-ended. It can be helpful in teaching children about the environment, and it is soothing. With water play, you're only limited by the things you don't put out.'

Star Rating: *** - Good

SMALL WATER AND SAND TABLE WITH TWO-SIDED COVER
WESCO
AGE: 3-5
PRICE: table £93.50; two-sided cover £42.10
CONTACT: 0115 989 9765 or sales@wescouk.co.uk

Sturdy water and sand table with two-sided activity top

Tested by Kids Korner Private Day Nursery, Halesowen

'We all had a look at the new sand/water tray when it arrived and discussed what we wanted in it first.

Sand was chosen and I got some cars to show them how they could use the lid if they wanted. Some chose to do this separately by the side of us.

'We used wet sand and used different sized pots and buckets to build sandcastles, while talking about big and little, tall and short.

'Although the children were excited when they first saw the product, they lost interest quite quickly.

'The tray is very sturdy and safe. However, we found the legs were quite difficult to assemble and the lid did not fit very tightly, so the rain was able to get into the base.'

Star Rating: ** - Satisfactory

CIRCULAR SAND AND WATER PLAY TABLE
TTS EDUCATION
AGE: 3+
PRICE: £99.95
CONTACT: 0800 318 686 or www.tts-group.co.uk

Circular sand and water play table with multiple interior levels and slopes, plus lid

Tested by Dulverton Children's Centre, Somerset

'The tray is shaped inside on various levels with a centre piece which is the main thing I like about it, as it means the children are able to pour the water down the centre piece and watch it as it falls.

'We liked the water tray's size and shape, and the children really liked watching things rolling down the slopes. It was not just used for water - it has had all sorts of things put in it, like pasta, building blocks, and small-world toys such as farm animals and cars.

'It it good value for money compared with the price of some sand/water trays, especially as this one includes a lid. But I am unsure if I would buy it for our nursery. Because of its height, not all the children are able to access it easily. You are unable to lower the water to a suitable height as we can do with our current tray.'

Star Rating: **** - Very Good

DIG & DISCOVER DINOSAUR SKELETONS AND CORAL REEF FIGURES
YELLOW DOOR
AGE: 3+
PRICE: Dinosaur skeletons set of eight, coral reef figures set of 12:
£7.50 a set
CONTACT: 0845 603 5309 or www.yellow-door.net

Two sets of figures to use in sand and water play

Tested by Bolsover Infant and Nursery School

'These resources were especially liked by our boys. We are always looking for ways to encourage boys to explore the world that they live in, in a productive and well-planned manner so that their learning is meaningful, stimulating and exciting.

'The dinosaurs were placed into the sand with brushes and tools so they could excavate the bones. Plants were added to the sand so the dinosaurs could be hidden behind them.

'The children were encouraged to hide the bones for their friends to find, and to describe where they had hidden the dinosaur so that another child could find it in the sand.

'The coral reef fish were added to coloured water, and transparent seaweed, rocks and stones were added to create a sea-bed effect. Boats were placed in the water to go fishing, with small nets for collecting the fish. The children were asked to count the fish, sort the fish, and colour in a picture to make their own tropical fish pattern. Talking tins were placed near the water tray, posing questions about the fish for the children to respond to.

'These are good value for money and I would consider buying them. We are constantly looking for new and exciting resources to stimulate our children's play in the sand and water. We need to move beyond building and pouring and look at how we can use small-world toys in the sand and water to recreate life experiences from around the world, or historical events.'

Star Rating: ***** - Excellent

All prices exclusive of VAT and post/packaging

BEST BUY

For Anne England, head of reception at Barton Primary and Nursery School, Torquay, her sand and water resource best-buy is a double sand wheel which is available from www.playfairtoys.com at $14.95.

'The children really work well with it and it is the one toy that they will share, promoting their social development.

'Like many products in the classroom, it is multi-functional in that it channels their PSED while helping them develop communication skills through talking, negotiating and discussing their actions.

'There are occasions when they are able to use mathematical vocabulary, and this can be modelled and extended by the adult in attendance. Physical development is enhanced too, as well as creative development if an imaginary storyline is adopted.

'The opportunities are unlimited. If I had to pick one item to keep and all the others had to go, this is the one I would choose!'