Have You Considered Metal?

“Because young children learn through their senses, it is important to provide a multitude of sensorial experiences in the early childhood classroom. In a busy and fast-paced world, early childhood practitioners often rely on early childhood catalogs or local toy stores to find classroom learning materials, while overlooking easily accessible resources that can be found in the home, neighborhood, or in nature – many times inexpensively or perhaps even free. One such material rich in sensory experiences and cognitive opportunities is metal.” So write Sandra Duncan and Mickey MacGillivray in their Exchange magazine article, “Metal: A Perfect Play Material for Children’s Improvisation,” which is the foundation for an Out of the Box Training Kit.

They go on to explain that “from the simplicity of nuts and bolts to the complexity of a bicycle wheel, metal offers kinesthetic experiences which are rich and varied in texture…Aluminum pie tins, for example, can serve as dishes in the home living area…Large nuts and bolts are also perfect for promoting children’s fine motor coordination when placed alongside other manipulatives.” 

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