Sand table Snow White

Figure 10. Snow White sand table. (IJsselgroep Educatieve Dienstverlening, 2017).

A great way to let the children learn through playing is by using a sand table. In this activity, we will discuss the sand table combined with the fairy tale of Snow White. In figure 10 you can see what a sand table with the Snow White theme can look like.

Learning goals

Math
- counting and understanding of numbers
- geometry

Language
- vocabulary
- role language
- to imitate a story with or without illustrations

Social-emotional development
- recognition of emotions
- recognition of the different characters of the seven dwarfs
(IJsselgroep Educatieve Dienstverlening, 2017).

Equipments
In order to choose the right equipment, it is obvious that you need to have knowledge about the story first. Choosing the equipment can be done just by you, but you can also do this together with the children. Ask questions, like:

• Where does Snow White live?
• Where does she run to?
• Who live in the house in the forest?
• What kind of work is it that the seven dwarfs do?
• What gives the evil stepmom to Snow White that makes her sleep?
• Who will save Snow White? 

Those questions are just some examples you can use in order to make a list of objects you can put into the corner. Again, keep in mind that the objects never have to be really realistic. It doesn't matter what you use as long as you guide the children in giving meaning to all those objects. 

Examples of equipment you might need for a good play situation is:

• small puppets of the seven dwarfs and Snow White
• small forest animals (squirrels, rabbits, deer)
• fake trees, bushes, moss
• blue plastic to make a small river, some stones to put next to it
• materials to create a bridge
• objects like diamonds to put in the mine, a small apple, a box of glass, a horse
• some cardboard rolls to make castles or houses (IJsselgroep Educatieve Dienstverlening, 2017).

Preparation

When you create a specific play area, you want the children to make use of the area. In this case, we created the sand table around the fairy tale of Snow White. Of course, as I wrote earlier, playing has to be voluntary and the children have to decide what they will do. As a teacher, you give them the possibility to use elements from the fairy tale in the corner with all the equipment. In order to achieve this, it is good to read or tell the fairy tale. Not only once, but multiple times. Talk about the story and about the things that happen in the story. You can even create some activities around the story to make it more living for the children. It is also important to make sure that the children know how to use the corner properly and that they use it with respect, without you taking away their freedom in the corner.