Many communities in Australia are located near beaches. The children who live there have the joy of digging their toes into sand, collecting shells, exploring rock pools and splashing in white, frothy waves.
Children who live inland can still have a strong attraction to the coast, especially if they have visited on holidays.
Early Years Learning Framework
Visiting a beach is one of the best ways to learn appreciation and respect for the environment (2.4), while connecting with natural materials and places (4.4).
Children, including babies and toddlers, are natural beachcombers. Collecting and examining items found on a beach links to the EYLF learning outcomes. Beachcombing involves inquiry, hypothesising, researching and investigating (4.2).
Learning experiences
Play with a water world
Fill a trough or aquarium with water. Pretend this is the ocean. Add in loose parts so children can play with their own underwater landscape. Consider using:
- toy sea creatures
- shells
- sand
- seaweed
- boats.
Resources
Picture books
- There's a Sea in My Bedroom by Margaret Wild and Jane Tanner
- The Deep by Tim Winton and Karen Louise
- Magic Beach by Alison Lester
- Perfect by Danny Parker and Freya Blackwood
- Jetty Jumping by Andrea Rowe and Hannah Sommerville
- Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall
- The Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch by Ronda and David Armitage