Montessori Activity: Jonah & the Whale Sensory Box

Jonah & the Whale Sensory Tub

Age: From 2.5 years old

Activity Duration: 5 - 15 minutes

Materials:

1. Transparent Smartbox B39xL50xH26cm tub half-filled with water (water not shown on picture)
2. Lego figurines dressed in homemade traditional costumes, one of the figures representing Jonah
3. Used empty orange juice plastic bottle for the big fish or whale
4. Paper boat
5. Throw in a water-can to create "rain", fan to fan the "windstorm", scoop, etc. for play

Directions:

1. This sensory tub goes very well with the biblical story of Jonah and the whale (Jonah 1-4).  Talk about the story as you go along. You can find the story here.
2. Fold the paper boat together with your child.
3. Dress the legoman into Jonah by using a new rug, cut into small rectangular, and a small round hole for the head and then tie the waist with string.
4. Let your child scoop, toss Jonah and catch it with the fish, etc.

Additional Information:

I was preparing for the Bible Story nursery lesson for tomorrow, and it led to the creation of this sensory tub for October. I cut out the mouth of the fish from the plastic bottle big enough to swallow Jonah Legoman.. Instructions on how to make the fish is here. I was very nervous about drawing and cutting the mouth for the fish. Daddy was beside me to give me courage. Thank God it all went well, in that it is still a decent fish with a mouth big enough to swallow Jonah :-) Can't imagine that I am becoming jacks of all trade, after J was born, and in the process, I have learned to do many things far more challenging than my professional work. I have not attempted to draw for so many years!!! Ah, the joy and challenges of motherhood! I will re-use this as October sensory tub for J after the class.

J tried it on 19.11.2011 (2Y8M14D). He played mainly with the watering can.

Thereafter, J took his bath in the tub