*Liquid soap or baby shampoo may be added to creat bubbles.

*Use only unscented shaving cream-the scented cream breaks down.

*Color shaving cream with a little tempra-it's fun to finger- paint with.

*Color rice for variety.

HINTS FOR USING THE SENSORY TABLE SUCCESSFULLY

1.) Limit play to a small group (usually 2-4 children depending on their age and the size of the table). In a larger group, children are less able to work out their own problems of social adjustment and are more dependent on adult guidance to insure constructive play.
2.) All sensory table materials (water, sand,etc.) must stay in the table. If some spills, clean it up. Provide a dust pan and small broom, as well as a large sponge or mop for the children to use. Consequences for those who cannot keep materials in the table are redirection to another activity or temporary closing of the area.
3.) Place a carpet remnant under the table for easier clean up. It also helps avoid a slippery floor when water or sand is spilled. Another option is to place the table inside a plastic wading pool to contain any mess.
4.) Sensory table activities should be left out a week at a time so that all will be able to have a turn. If interest wanes, add one or two new accessories. Water should be re- moved and the table cleaned out daily for health reasons.
5.) Have the children use plastic aprons with water and messy materials.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

*Fill the table with water and provide a variety of objects for the children. Let them put items in the water one at a time and then compare how well each floats or how fast it sinks. Add slat to the water and repeat the experiment to see if some items now float better.

*Put large night crawler worms in damp dirt and let the children dig for them.

*Cut out fish from construction paper or styrofoam meat trays, add a paper clip to its nose and let the children fish with poles that have a magnet attached to the line.

*Add bubbles to the water and let children have a car wash or wash dolls and doll clothers.

*Plastic figures may be added to straw or cedar shavings to create a zoo, farm or holiday scene.

*Have children handle ping pong balls with tongs to enhance their small motor skills.

*And dry material may be substituted for water to enable the children to practice their pouring skills.

*Let children try to pull small items from the water with a small fish net.

*Dirt, plastic flowers, small garden tools and flower pots help to create a great garden center.

*Add bubble mixture or baby shampoo to warm water and let the children discover how to create bubbles by blowing through straws, using egg beaters or cooking whisks.

*Shaving cream is a good way to clean out the table.

*Children can create great snow scenes with cotton balls or styrofoam packing in place of snow.

*Place acorns and fall leaves in the table and let the children pretend they are squirrels hunting for nuts.

*Add a little water to sand or dirt, have the children roll a smooth surface with rolling pins and then they can make some patterns with sea shells, nuts, kitchen utensils, combs, keys, cookie cutters, etc.....

*Squeezing the rubber bulbs of eye droppers or a turkey baster fascinates a child.

*Transparent plastic bottles of varying shapes and sizes may be filled with rice and then dumped back out.

*Colored popcorn or rice works well in water wheels for a different sensory experience.

*Scraps of paper and children's scissors can be used in the sensory table to practice cutting skills. Make a mosiac with the small pieces at the end of the week.