What does your child learn with a water table? 5 sensorimotor benefits
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What does your child learn from playing with a water table?
Play with water is a great way to help your child develop sensorimotor skills. It helps to discover the senses and it stimulates creativity. It's also a good way to fine motor skills to practice.
In this article I discuss how you can best let your child play with a water table and what the benefits are.
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What is a water table?
A water table is a toy table that can be filled with water and/or sand. It's a great way for kids to play and learn at the same time. It's a fun and attractive way for kids to play outside and enjoy the weather. It's a great way to get kids to play together and their social skills to develop.
Water tables for children of all ages
Water tables are suitable for children from about 1 year old. There are many types of water tables available, from cheap models to the more luxurious and special models. It is important to choose a water table that is suitable for the age of your child. For example, there are water tables with a capacity of a few liters up to 20 liters. Most water tables also have some sides for kids to play with, such as a ball or mold.
The benefits of playing with a water table
Playing with a water table has many benefits for children. It's a great way to develop their sensorimotor skills. Children can practice their fine motor skills by filling the water table and playing with the water and sand. It's also a great way to get kids to enjoy being outside and the weather. Children can play together and learn from each other. It's a great way to keep kids entertained and let them enjoy the fun.
Alternate sensorimotor experiences
Besides playing with a water table, there are also other sensorimotor experiences that children can have. For example, children can play with clay, paint, sand and other materials. It is important to look at what suits your child best and what gives them the most pleasure.
From what age can my child play with a water table?
Water tables are available for children of different ages. Some models are suitable for children from 6 months, while other models are better suited for children from 2 years. It is important to choose a water table that suits the age and development of your child.
Young children
For young children it is important that the water table is not too deep and that there is little water in it. This ensures that they can play and explore safely. A water table is a great activity for young children to develop their senses and stimulate their creativity. Playing with water and sand can also help develop fine motor skills.
Older children
Older children can get more fun out of a water table that offers more space to play and explore. They can make different shapes and figures with the water and sand and can even add animals or other objects to their game. Playing with a water table can also help develop social skills as children can play together and share ideas.
Playing outside
A water table is a great activity to play outside, especially during warm weather. It is important to place the water table on a flat and firm surface and to ensure that there is enough space to play. A water table can also be placed indoors, but make sure the area is easy to clean.
What can your child learn from playing with a water table?
A water table is a great tool for developing your child's motor skills. By playing with water and sand, your child can practice his or her fine motor skills by, for example, scooping water or making sand castles. Also the gross motor skills is stimulated by walking around the table and lifting buckets and trays filled with water.
Educational game
Playing with a water table is not only fun, but also educational. For example, children can learn about the properties of water, such as that it can flow and that it is wet. They can also learn about the properties of sand, such as how grainy it is and how it can be shaped. By playing with different materials and shapes, children can develop their creativity and imagination.
Social development
A water table is also a great way to encourage your child's social development. Children can play together and learn to collaborate and share. They can also learn to communicate and help each other build sand castles or fill buckets.
Discovering nature
A water table offers children the opportunity to discover nature. For example, they can learn about the properties of water and how it can be used to grow plants and flowers. They can also learn about the different types of animals that live in and around water.
Additional tips
- Provide enough space around the water table so that children can easily walk and play.
- Use clothes that can get dirty, as playing with water and sand can be very messy.
- Do not let your children play with the water table unsupervised, especially when it contains water.
- Combine the water table with other toys, such as balls or toy boats, for extra fun.
- A water table is suitable for children from about 1 year old, but older children will also enjoy it.
What does sensorimotor mean?
Sensorimotor is the term used to describe the relationship between the body and the world around us. It starts with young children, getting to know their own bodies and discovering how to use them to explore the world around them. This is the starting point of sensorimotor development.
Impaired sensorimotor development
If a child's sensorimotor development becomes disrupted, it can cause problems in other areas of development. For example, if a child has difficulty understanding how their body moves and how it responds to different stimuli, it can affect their ability to learn and communicate.
What are the best water tables for your child?
If you are looking for a water table for your child, there are a number of things to consider. Firstly, it is important to look at the age of your child. Some water tables (the nicest reviewed here) are suitable for children from 1 year, while others are only suitable from 3 years. In addition, it is important to look at the size of the water table and whether it fits in your garden or indoor space. It is also useful to look at the material of which the water table is made and whether it is easy to clean.
Conclusion
Let's face it, water tables are great for your kids to play with. It stimulates their sensorimotor development, creativity, social skills, and their imagination. It's a great way to get them out and play together.
If you have a water table, or any other toys, you can let them play and discover what they like. Letting them play is one of the best ways to encourage their development. So give it a try and you will see that your child has a great sensorimotor experience.
Always something to do for the holidays or rainy day?
Play Choice now has the ultimate activity book collection, with over 60 pages of fun coloring pages and educational puzzles.
Joost Nusselder, the founder of Speelkeuze.nl is a content marketer, father and loves trying out new toys. As a child he came into contact with everything related to games when his mother started the Tinnen Soldaat in Ede. Now he and his team create helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with fun play ideas.