Now our children have all kinds of toys, but they are growing up without sand, which is the most economical play material that needs to be found easily. In children’s gardens, it creates a basis for animal excrement since it cannot be used in accordance with its conditions… However, using it for its intended purpose will provide the opportunity to benefit from this valuable material. Its economic value is the cheapest; but the most expensive material in terms of utility value…
Today, when we look at children’s games and toys, a structured structure is always striking.
In sand games, there is an area where children can reveal themselves comfortably. The child can feel free with sand games. Even if there is no material, various games can be produced with sand. The child can get an idea of its height and footprint by lying and rolling on the sand. He can become aware of the depth he creates in the sand.
Can take the sand with his hands and pass it from one hand to the other without spilling it, and can acquire the ability to focus his attention. He can watch the flowing sands downstream. Can make hand prints in sand and count fingers on print. He may notice the size of his hand in another area. He experiences the feeling of touching with his hands and learns about different textures. Again, he can do the same work with his feet, he can be asked whether he gets the same feelings with his hands and feet, and he gets experience. If the sand is moist, it can stick to the body, if it is dry, it has a fluid structure. He can even take the sand into his mouth and evaluate what kind of structure it has. He can work freely without worrying about space, as if he were painting on a large piece of paper with his hands. Can make lines, shapes, numbers. He can try to do the same work using feet.
Sand games are games that all age groups will enjoy playing. It can also be played individually or with friends. Since it is not one of the games with rules, the child can reveal himself easily. Since it is played without someone’s directing and directing, it can produce itself and develops the child cognitively. He can use his imagination in the best way possible. If he plays with his friends, he socializes. Children who come to play individually can become friends while playing side by side, it makes it easier to be friends and helps to eliminate the feeling of shyness.
It supports the immune system by increasing the body’s resistance against microbes.
It relieves stress by creating a sense of psychological relaxation. It also gives a sense of relaxation by taking the electricity of the body.
He can listen to the sound of sand flowing, or if he is playing with different materials, he can appeal to his senses by doing activities such as filling, emptying, hitting, listening to the sounds he makes while pouring them from one container to another, and smelling.
It can be used in various molds in sand games. Learns about different geometric shapes with patterns. The area covered by the sand is informed about the volume. It can be easily shaped with molds when used with water. The most used material with sand is bucket and shovel. It supports hand-eye coordination while emptying the sand into the bucket with the shovel. Gains information about the concept of quantity. He gains the ability to guess by experimenting how many times he can fill the bucket with sand when he fills the shovel with sand.
Along with sand, it is supported in psychomotor development. The child gains movement skills. There are usually sandboxes at the end of the slides. For this reason, while using the slide, arm and leg muscles develop, that is, we can say that large muscles develop. Since he uses his hand muscles effectively, produces different shapes, and the movement of grabbing the sand is used a lot, the development of his small muscles is supported.
If children play together, we create the most conversational space. Children get used to cooperation. They help each other in creating works. It removes the feelings of selfishness.
Let’s not deprive our children of such a useful material. Let’s demand.
MUST HAVE YOUR CHILD PLAY WITH SAND…
ÖZNUR SIMAV
PEDAGOG-FAMILY AND COMMUNICATION ADVISOR
