This month in our classroom, we brought in clean, fluffy snow from outside and placed it on the tuff tray along with some different shaped bowls and spoons for everyone to explore. The infants gathered around with wide eyes watching eagerly as we set it up. Their tiny hands began to reach in—some approaching cautiously, unsure of how the snow would feel as it moved, felt cold, and melted in their hands, while others immediately grabbed a handful, dumping and pouring it into various containers and shaping it alongside the educators. Soon, the classroom was filled with soft giggles, focused exploration, and curious expressions as the infants discovered something new together.
This sensory activity supports early learning and development by introducing varying temperatures, diverse textures, and strong visual contrast, providing meaningful sensory input and encouraging sustained attention. As the infants scoop, touch, and observe the snow, they practice fine motor skills, develop hand-eye coordination, and begin forming an early understanding of cause and effect. This guided exploration also supports communication and early language development, as infants look to others to share their excitement while educators model language by naming sensations and actions as they occur. Exploring winter snow in a safe, engaging environment encourages curiosity, discovery, and learning through play.
