Peppermint Sensory Writing Tray for Preschoolers

12/14/2022

Peppermint Sensory Writing Tray for Preschoolers

Christmas is right around the corner, and writing trays are one of the best ways to encourage handwriting practice in an interactive way with preschoolers! Including a theme makes it that much better. Peppermint is a seasonal smell that many of us can’t resist. A peppermint sensory tray gives preschoolers a sensory experience while helping them build essential pre-writing skills.

A writing tray is a very simple way to include seasonal and engaging activities in your preschool classrooms or at home. Preschoolers are often challenged to begin writing with a utensil before they're quite ready, which can have the opposite effect on the development of their writing skills. But that doesn't mean preschoolers won't develop the necessary writing skills. It means that educators can provide activities that include way less pressure. And writing trays are the perfect solution.

Materials:

Container of salt, divided in half.
1 Teaspoon of Peppermint extract
Red food coloring
Spoon
Tray
Candy

*The amount of food coloring used completely depends on the color red you would like to obtain.

Process:

Creating your peppermint writing tray can be done with the help of your preschoolers. It's a great opportunity to teach them about the importance of measuring and following directions. The first step is making sure the salt is divided equally into two parts.

Next, add your desired drops of food coloring along with the peppermint extract. Your preschoolers can do this step as it requires those tiny muscles to squeeze the bottles. As they squeeze the peppermint into the bowl, ask them a few questions.
- Is this smell familiar?
- What does it smell like?
-Do you enjoy this smell?

Make sure the salt is mixed up very well.

Pour the other half of the divided salt equally onto pan or writing tray. Invite preschoolers to take turns adding in a diagonal line as pictured above.

Add in the red peppermint scented salt to make the tray resemble a candy cane!

Invite preschoolers to use a candy cane or their fingers to trace letters in the peppermint salt. As preschoolers drag the candy cane through the salt to write, the red and white salt will naturally begin to mix. Explain to preschoolers that a similar experience happens when eating a candy cane. The colors dissolve and mix on a candy cane. Peppermint sensory writing trays are a great way to offer a sensory experience with a holiday theme.