Learning about sea creatures with little people can be hands on and lots of fun.

 

You will need:

A large water tight container

Various plastic sea creatures

Water

 

This activity can bring water play indoors when the weather is too rough.  Use a small amount of water in a deep container.  Place a plastic mat or an old shower curtain underneath for added peace of mind.

This activity needs supervision at all times with small children.

 

Teaching Points:

Incorporate a craft activity around sea animals that promotes creativity and fine motor skills – for example, cutting and pasting sea creatures from magazines to make a collage. Add shells, twigs and bits of crepe for seaweed to bring the collage to life.

Provide facts about your chosen sea creatures.  At at the end of the session ask for recall of the most interesting facts.

Do some research on different types of fish, sharks or whales.  Look at similarities and differences in species.

Consider the differences between salt water and fresh water animals.

For grief and loss, this activity can provide calming sensory play for a child,  and give an opportunity to build rapport through an enjoyable activity.

Read a picture book about sea creatures or ocean life.  The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister is just one example of many.  A Rainbow Fish activity would then fit in here nicely.

 

Links to Early Years Framework – Learning Outcomes for Children Birth to 5 Years

https://www.coag.gov.au/sites/default/files/early_years_learning_framework.pdf

Outcome 4 – Children are confident and involved learners

Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity

Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating

 

For more information about grief and loss  for children please  visit  blueskiestomorrow.com