Builders tray - Ideas This is a useful planning prompt to help set up the learning environment targeted towards meeting the age band in exploring and using media and materials.

Realise tools can be used for a purpose. Fill the builders tray with a variety of one handed tools e.g. hole punchers, scissors, zig zag scissors, stamps and a variety of coloured paper. Allow the children to explore the tools and the different effects they have. Can they explore using these tools in different ways? This will develop their fine motor skills months Realise tools can be used for a purpose. Have a variety of play dough and play dough tools in the builders tray ranging from rolling pins, cutters and shaping tools. To develop the purpose of tools limit the builders tray to one type of tool a day. This will give the children more time to explore the different techniques of each tool. Then extend by combining all the tools together. Introduce picture cards for prompts for their playdough e.g. animals, cakes, biscuits etc months

Uses various construction materials. Fill the builders tray with a variety of junk modelling e.g. tubes, boxes, lids and cartoons. Make sure joining materials are included such as string and cello tape. Allow the children to explore with the different construction materials. Why not make a prototype of a junk model (to fit in with theme) e.g. a rocket, mini beast, car etc. Can they interpret your skills or adapt to make their own creation? months Uses various construction materials Fill the builders tray with a small construction of your choice. Include word and picture cards to fit in with the topic e.g. transport- wheels, train, aeroplane, window etc. This will help guide their independent construction. Why not add a challenge into the tray e.g. Can you build a space rocket? Take photos of the finished challenges or put on display in the construction area months

Beginning to be interested in and describe the texture of things. Have a variety of sensory boxes (decorated shoe boxes with a hole in the lid to place the object) place random sensory objects inside for the children to feel. Have recording mats out for the children to record what they feel. Also add paper and pens to prompt he children to draw what they think is inside the box. Extend the builders tray by adding key words e.g. soft, spiky, rough etc months Beginning to be interested in and describe the texture of things. Line the builders tray with fabric or carpet. Then place a variety of sensory objects e.g. stones, bark, fabric, rubber, metal etc. Allow the children to explore the different textures. Why not add recording mats and paper and pens to encourage the children to record what they feel months

Explores colour and how colour can be changed. Dye rice different colours ( add food colouring to dry rice and heat in the oven on a low heat until dry) and put the coloured rice n co-ordinating coloured bowls. Allow the children to explore with the colour by mixing the rice and making different pictures using their fingers in the builders tray. Why not select two primary colours each day months Explores colour and how colour can be changed. Add sand into the builders tray with a variety of pouring equipment e.g. funnels and tubes. Add different coloured glitter to the sand to allow the children to explore. This can be done with water too months

Explores and learns how sounds can be changed. Lay fabric onto the builders tray and have a variety of musical instruments and nursery rhyme books or pictures. This will encourage the children to add sound to their familiar songs. Why not change the nursery rhyme each day and rotate the musical instruments months Explores and learns how sounds can be changed. Have a variety of sensory boxes (decorated shoe boxes with a hole in the lid to place the object) place different instruments inside. Allow the children to explore the boxes and what's inside. This will develop curiosity. Have the same instruments around the tray as well so that they can match the same instrument to the same box months

Sings a few familiar songs. Set up the builders tray in the theme of a chosen nursery rhyme. Use fabric, puppets, props, instruments, nursery book, pictures of characters and familiar words from the nursery rhyme. This will heighten the experience of the nursery rhyme and introduce resources to scaffold their learning. Why not include recording mats or microphones so that they can perform their nursery rhyme months Taps out simple repeated rhythms. Have a variety of instruments laid out on the builders tray. Using the recording mats record a simple beat or rhythm using different instruments. Leave these out and see if the children can copy the beats months