Preschool Classroom Area: Table Toys (Manipulatives)

The table toy or manipulative area is usually one of the most popular area in a preschool classroom.

Goals/Skills:

• Small motor development and control (preparation for holding a pencil)
• Concentration and completion of a task
• Enhanced self-esteem and feeling of control and mastery
• Concepts such as patterning, sequencing, matching, order

Supervision and Tips:

• Encouragement in the event a child becomes frustrated
• Children must put materials back onto shelf after finished
• Facilitation of problem-solving in the event there is a conflict over materials

Suggested Toys and Materials:

• Puzzles
• Stacking Blocks
• Lego / Duplos
• Lacing Cards
• Lacing and Stringing Beads
• Tweezers and Tongs
• Scissor Cutting Activities
• Peg Boards
• Rubber bands for Peg Boards
• Hammering Block
• Golf Tees / Scissors / Hammers for Playdough
• Rolling Pins
• Markers / Chalk / Crayons
• Lacing Dolls
• Lock and Key Sets
• Zipping and Buttoning Boards
• Weaving Boards
• Small Paint Brushes
• Squirt Bottles