Just as many nurseries are reluctant to let under-threes loose with a pot of paint (see Nursery World, 8 February 2001), so they also shy away from letting the youngest children in their care enjoy the delights of sand and water. It's a shame, because under-threes can derive huge benefits and great pleasure from such play.
Children learn about the world around them through their senses and the physical manipulation of their environment, making sand and water a rich area for learning.
Small babies are often fascinated to watch dripping, flowing, sprayed or pouring water. They enjoy the sensation of handling sand, letting it trickle through their fingers on to bare toes. They like to hear the sounds of water and sand pouring from buckets. And they can taste and drink water.
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