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Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

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light table

Rainbow Sensory Tray

May 5, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This rainbow sensory tray makes a perfect spring activity. It is designed for a light table but works on a regular one too.

There are so many rainbow images and activities posted online in March, and most are associated with leprechauns and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. But I’m introducing this rainbow sensory tray (with a container for “gold)” in May since the colorful arcs will be a common sight in the sky in the coming months.

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This rainbow sensory tray makes a perfect spring activity. It is designed for a light table but works on a regular one too.

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Rainbows and a stash of gold have other meanings than those suggested in the leprechaun legends we are familiar with. For instance, a rainbow represents an effort-filled journey towards a goal. The journey itself is meaningful and beautiful, just like a rainbow. The resulting accomplishment is the “pot of gold.”  Completing post-secondary education, learning to drive a car, or buying a home are examples of worthy goals.

The colors in a rainbow can represent character qualities helpful in achieving goals in life:

  • Vibrant red represents strength and energy.
  • Luscious orange signifies optimism and spontaneity.
  • Bright yellow oozes creativity.
  • Green stands for peacefulness and balance.
  • Tranquil blue suggests honesty and reliability.

And other than coins or a difficult goal achieved, a ”pot of gold” may signify a great friend, a home with a loving family, or valuable skills and insights learned.

And so…a rainbow and pot of gold sensory activity is appropriate any time of the year!

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Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Colorful transparent reusable ice cubes are the "stars" of this cheery rainbow sensory tray designed for a light table.

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For this cheery sensory tray, gather the following supplies:

  • a clear rectangular serving tray
  • transparent reusable ice cubes in a variety of colors
  • gold acrylic pebble gems
  • large clear, flat acrylic gems
  • a small, clear container and a large spoon

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Setting Up The Rainbow Sensory Tray

Transparent gems and star-shaped reusable ice cubes are the highlights of this rainbow sensory tray.

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This sensory tray can be set up in minutes:

  • First, arrange the ice cubes in a rainbow design on a clear rectangular tray.
  • Next, add clear rock-shaped gems to be clouds at the rainbow ends.
  • Then sprinkle in gold gems to represent coins.
  • Lastly, add the clear container and a large spoon for scooping.

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Colorful transparent reusable ice cubes are the "stars" of this cheery rainbow sensory tray designed for a light table.

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The tray is designed to be offered on a light table or lightbox. But it would work fine as a play invitation on a regular table too.

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This rainbow sensory tray makes a perfect spring activity. It is designed for a light table but works on a regular one too.

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Related: St. Patrick’s Day Light Table Tray

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Do you want to learn how rainbows form in the sky? Click here for a simple explanation:

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[Read more…] about Rainbow Sensory Tray

Filed Under: light table, preschool, sensory Tagged With: light table, rainbows, sensory play, sensory tray, weather

St. Patrick’s Light Table Tray

March 15, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A cheeky leprechaun is the highlight of this low-maintenance, easy-to put together St. Patrick's Day light table tray.
A cheeky leprechaun is the highlight of this low-maintenance, easy-to put together St. Patrick's Day light table tray.

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St. Patrick’s Day accessories lend themselves so well to sensory activities and can be used in many different ways. Keeping an eye out for transparent supplies is the key to making this easy, mess-free St. Patrick’s light table tray.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Transparent gems, gems, and more gems work well for this tray. Select them in different sizes in the colors green, yellow, and brownish gold.

Other supplies to gather are shamrock reusable ice cubes, shamrocks cut from wall decorations, a black pot, a leprechaun figurine, and mini green tongs and drinking cups.

Dot markers and a piece of transparency copy paper come in handy for creating a rainbow.

A clear compartment tray works wonderfully for the bin.

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The St. Patrick’s Light Table Tray

How to put together a St. Patrick's Day sensory tray for the light table.

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First, select a clear compartment tray for the sensory activity.

Next, use dot markers to create a large rainbow on a piece of transparency copy paper. The ink dries rapidly and doesn’t smudge at all. Or draw a rainbow with felt pens on regular copy paper. Afterward, cut the rainbow out and tape it to one end of the tray.

Then add a variety of acrylic gems to the tray.

Set in the shamrock ice cubes and wall decoration pieces.

Lastly, add the drinking cups, salad tongs, pot, and leprechaun. Then set the sensory tray on a light table or light box for early learners to discover.

Children will be excited to sort and rearrange the loose parts in the tray and may spread them all over the lighted surface.

Note: This St. Patrick’s light table tray is low maintenance. It is mess-free and doesn’t require a base ingredient. It works well as an activity on or off the light table.

A cheeky leprechaun is the highlight of this low-maintenance, easy-to put together St. Patrick's Day light table tray.

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Related:  Transparent Page Divider Activities

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[Read more…] about St. Patrick’s Light Table Tray

Filed Under: light table, preschool, sensory, St. Patrick's Day Tagged With: leprechauns, light, light table, loose parts, sensory bin, sensory play, sensory tray

Christmas Light Table Activity

December 21, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Invitation to scoop and sort Christmas-themed reusable ice cubes in this magical light exploration play activity for little learners.
Invitation to scoop and sort Christmas-themed reusable ice cubes in this magical light exploration play activity for little learners.

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This Christmas light table activity is oh so simple to set up! And the festive light play invitation will add ambiance to your Christmas theme offerings.

A light table is a table illuminated by light and comes in a variety of sizes. Some smaller ones have removable legs for versatility. Portable light boxes and light panels are other excellent alternatives for light exploration activities.

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For more activities with light, follow my Pinterest board Light Play.

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Light Table Supplies

Clear containers and accessories, and reusable ice cubes are the key items to collect for this magical center. Gather:

  • clear salad bowl
  • plastic see-through gift boxes
  • plastic egg holders
  • clear serving spoons
  • Christmas-themed reusable ice cubes

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The Christmas Light Table Activity

Counting, sorting, and scooping opportunities at the light table with Christmas-themed reusable ice cubes and clear containers.

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Fill the salad bowl with reusable ice cubes and set it on a light table along with a serving spoon.

Spread the plastic gift boxes, egg holders, and extra spoons around the bowl.

Invite little learners to scoop ice cubes from the bowl into the gift boxes and sort ice cubes in the egg holders.

Color and shape sorting, counting, and practice with eye-hand coordination are a few benefits of this play invitation, aside from just being a lot of fun!

Invitation for little learners to count and sort reusable Christmas-themed ice cubes at the light table.

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If you do not have a light table or lightbox in your classroom or home, you can make a simple and economical DIY version. Just add Christmas lights to a clear plastic tub with a lid. I’ve tried this and it works just fine!

Reusable ice cubes can be picked up at dollar stores, or in the picnic supply section of other stores.  I’m always checking for ones that complement the themes we do in the classroom.

The clear gift boxes were an awesome dollar store find, and I snapped up ones trimmed in red, green, silver, and gold.  Little learners would enjoy scooping and transferring ice cubes into all sizes and shapes of containers, so use what you have available.

Clear gift boxes are the perfect containers for scooping reusable Christmas-themed ice cubes at the light table.

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A light table can be used for science, discovery, math, art, drawing, literacy, music, and more. What’s your favorite way to use one? Share below.

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[Read more…] about Christmas Light Table Activity

Filed Under: Christmas, light table, Math, preschool Tagged With: ice cubes, light table, loose parts

Transparent Page Divider Activities

August 28, 2018 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Transparent page divider activities. Art, science, math, and photography ideas that are suitable for all ages.
Transparent page divider activities. Art, science, math, and photography ideas that are suitable for all ages.

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School supplies are stocked everywhere, sales are on, and I’m buying a substantial amount of transparent page divider packets. I’m using them for their usual purpose and setting lots aside for early learning activities. Read on for ideas on how to incorporate these layering page dividers in photos, art, and light table play.

Transparent page dividers used in math, science, art, and photography activities with children.

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Transparent Page Divider Jellyfish

Page divider jellyfish bells and transparent stir stick tentacles offer an invitation to create on the light table. The jellyfish can give each other “hugs” so new colors are discovered.

Light table jellyfish made with transparent page divider shapes and stir sticks.

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Geometric Shape Creations

Cut geometric shapes in various sizes and a tray of transparent gems inspire open-ended creating.

Cut geometric transparent page divider shapes set on a light table with transparent jewels.

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Christmas Tree Decorating

Christmas trees cut from page dividers and set out on a light table with transparent star links and game pieces offer a festive invitation to decorate.

Transparent Christmas trees, star links, and game pieces.

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Page Divider Picture Accents

A strip of transparent color layered on pictures adds a striking element. Black and white animal themed coloring pages and calendar pictures work well as subjects too.

Sketch Art picture of meerkats looking into a pumpkin enhanced with a transparent page divider strip.
Sketch Art Meerkat And Pumpkin Photo

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Sketch Art photo of a pier enhanced with a transparent page divider strip.
Sketch Art Pier Photo

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Country barn photo enhanced with a strip of a transparent page divider..

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Handprint Turkey Art Accent

A strip of a transparent page divider enhances black and white turkey handprint art.

Handprint turkey enhanced with a strip of transparent page divider.

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[Read more…] about Transparent Page Divider Activities

Filed Under: art, display, science, sensory Tagged With: light table, loose parts

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Hi, I'm Annette Kaminsky. I am a preschool teacher who loves to share easy and fun early learning activities. Thanks for visiting my blog. Feel free to stay awhile!

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puttingtheprettyin.preschool

Collecting supplies for a lemonade stand is as ref Collecting supplies for a lemonade stand is as refreshing as the pretend play center will be! 🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋

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This little bunny is engaging in a little self car This little bunny is engaging in a little self care after a very busy season. Notice the saved jelly beans for the necklace! 🌺🌸🌼🌷💐

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Another set of eggs that won’t be stored in the Another set of eggs that won’t be stored in the Easter bin! 
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I may have been a little obsessed with leprechauns I may have been a little obsessed with leprechauns the past few weeks. This one’s having a hard time hiding in this St. Patrick’sDay light table tray. Details for the bin are on the blog…click the link in profile to get to it. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! ☘️☘️☘️

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It’s “clover” for this little leprechaun who It’s “clover” for this little leprechaun who has been caught in a St. Patrick’s Day sensory jar. ☘️☘️☘️

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Dragon necklace craft my preschoolers will do this Dragon necklace craft my preschoolers will do this coming week. We meant to fit it in earlier in the month, but time got away on us. I’m 100% sure they will enjoy making and wearing the craft anyways. Instructions and free template are on the blog. Link in profile leads to the post. 

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Ladybug and Lovebug Valentine’s Day crafts that Ladybug and Lovebug Valentine’s Day crafts that can be put together at the last minute. Link in profile leads the the blogpost. A host of ladybug facts are included. 🐞❤️🐞❤️🐞❤️🐞

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Monsters and Valentine’s Day treasure blocks. Is Monsters and Valentine’s Day treasure blocks. Is this a good pairing? ❤️❤️❤️

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Chinese New Year chickpea bin. 2022 will be the “Year Of The Tiger.” Link in profile leads to the blogpost about how to put together this sensory bin. 

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Embrace the “winter blues” with these winter-t Embrace the “winter blues” with these winter-themed treasure blocks. Link in profile leads to a blogpost about these see through fillable blocks. ❄️❄️❄️⛄️❄️❄️❄️☃️❄️❄️❄️☃️❄️❄️❄️☃️❄️❄️❄️☃️❄️❄️❄️

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Easy and fun winter playdough. Link in profile for Easy and fun winter playdough. Link in profile for the recipe. ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

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