Sandtray alternatives 2

This is a lazy Susan with cloth and figures. What I like about this alternative is the circular shape and the turning.  The circle allows for a mandala effect and all that goes with that. Turning allows a child to easily get around their "sandtray" and view or build it from multiple perspectives. It is not messy and is easy to clean. Fabric is also a good way to introduce color in a flexible way.

On the down side, it is large and figures must be packed separately. In addition, if you have figures which lack stability there is no support for them.

Sandtray alternatives

Here is an alternative to the usual sandtray. A small dish with a cover and dried beans makes a way for clients to do sandtray at s desk in school or at home. 

Pros: Small, portable, colorful, lightweight, easy to clean, easy to store
Cons: Could become messy with water, some sensitive children find it smelly, the colors soon mix together

Another way to fill this tray is with small rocks or beads to avoid smell.

Sandtray Stories - Otter and Wolf - Part 3

Part 3

One day a squirrel came to the water.  He asked why Otter was crying.  When Otter told him, Squirrel was sad, too. 

Then Squirrel told Otter how he was sad when his brother died.  He showed Otter a special box that he made to keep his brother's favorite acorns in, so he'd always be close.  Squirrel and Otter thought about Wolf and what might help Otter remember him. 

They made a dream catcher to keep all the positive memories from floating away and hung it in a tree.  It helped Otter feel better.  Whenever he felt sad, he would look up and see the dream catcher and remember the fun he had with Wolf.  Sometimes he talked to Squirrel, too.  They became friends and Otter began to play again. 

Although Wolf was gone and things would never be the same, Otter learned that Wolf would always be in his heart.

Sandtray Stories - Otter and Wolf - Part 2

Part 2
One day a hunter came to the pond.  Otter was alone.   

The hunter threw a net over Otter.  Poor Otter was helpless - he couldn't get out of the net.

As he was struggling, Wolf arrived.  Wolf was angry.  He wanted to protect his friend.  He pounced on the hunter and they fought. 

While they were fighting, Otter escaped and hid.  Suddenly, Otter heard a loud bang.  He looked out from his hiding place and saw the hunter limping away. 

Wolf was laying on the ground and bleeding.  Otter ran to Wolf, but there was nothing he could do.  Wolf was dying. 

"It's all my fault," said Otter. 

"No," said Wolf, "it's not.  I don't want you to blame yourself.  Remember I love you and remember to play." 

Otter hugged Wolf until he died.  Then he buried his friend and cried all day long.  He missed Wolf.  He no longer felt like playing. 

Sandtray Stories - Otter and Wolf - Part 1

I put my stories in a box specific to them.

This is the story of Otter and Wolf

Part 1:

Near a pond lived an otter.  He loved to play. 

Every day his friend Wolf would come to the pond to drink and play. 

They splashed in the water until they were tired and then they would curl up together and sleep.