Apple-Themed Tuff Tray Sensory Play for September

September marks the beginning of a new school year, and with it comes the excitement of fresh starts and new learning opportunities. As classrooms fill with eager students, teachers prepare lessons that will engage and inspire. One symbol that has long been associated with education is the iconic apple. This fruit not only represents knowledge and learning but also offers a delightful theme for sensory play.

At Learning Through PLAYtrays, Ms. K, the founder, loves to kick off the school year with apple-themed activities. Apples are perfect for exploring the five senses—taste, touch, sight, smell, and even sound—making them an ideal subject for sensory play.

Tip: This school year, why not start with a PLAYtray, also known as a TUFF tray, in your classroom? In August, we hosted a USA School Giveaway, selecting five lucky winners. These classrooms across the country are starting the year with brand-new PLAYtrays, ready to dive into sensory play with their students!

Exploring Lesson 39

One of the highlights of our "52 Weeks of PLAYtray" series is Lesson 39, which focuses on an apple-picking activity. In this lesson, children use chalk to draw an apple tree on the PLAYtray, then fill it with real apples. This simple yet engaging activity offers a hands-on approach to learning that combines sensory exploration with fundamental academic skills.

Math Development Through Play

As students "pick" apples from the tray, they practice counting and sorting by color—essential early math skills. The tactile experience of grabbing and moving the apples also helps to develop fine motor coordination.

Color Exploration

This lesson provides an opportunity to discuss the different colors of apples, such as green, red, and yellow. Children can engage in a sorting game, grouping apples by color and comparing their characteristics.

Motor Skills and Coordination

The physical activity of reaching for and picking apples helps children develop their motor skills, while the sensory elements of the activity—such as the texture and weight of the apples—enhance their sensory awareness.

Introduction to STEAM in Sensory Play

Integrating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) into early childhood education is crucial for fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Tuff Trays are an excellent platform for STEAM activities, offering a versatile space for exploration and creativity.

Spotlight on Apple Seeds - A STEAM Lesson

One of the lessons available on TPT (Teachers Pay Teachers) in our "52 Weeks of STEAM" series focuses on apple seeds. By setting up a science inquiry station in the Tuff Tray, students can explore the seeds inside an apple using tweezers, which enhances their fine motor skills.

Craft Activity: Apple Stamp Prints

After examining the seeds, students can use the apples to create stamp prints on paper. This activity blends science with art, allowing children to explore patterns and symmetry while creating a fun and colorful craft.

Connecting STEAM to Real-World Learning

These activities are not only fun but also align with educational standards, helping to document and assess student progress in key areas such as science and art.

Creating Invitations to Play

"Invitations to Play" are setups that encourage children to explore and interact with materials in an open-ended way. Apple-themed invitations, such as an apple sorting station or an apple pie-making setup, can inspire children to engage in imaginative play while learning important skills.

Back to School with a Tuff Tray: A Perfect Start for Your Classroom

A Tuff Tray, also known as a PLAYtray, is a big tray that supports a variety of sensory play activities. Start the year with these three Tuff Tray ideas:

1. Apple Tuff Tray - Kick off the year with an apple-themed tray that encourages children to explore the five senses, sort apples by color, and practice counting.
2. Pebble Family Tuff Tray - Create an "All About Me" activity where children decorate pebbles to represent their families, promoting self-expression and fine motor skills.
3. Wheels on the Bus Tuff Tray - Use toy buses and road maps in a themed tray that ties into the classic song, helping children develop language and motor skills while singing along.

These activities not only make learning fun but also help students ease into the school year with familiar and comforting themes.