Sand and Water Play

Children seem to be instinctively attracted to sand and water and they both offer rich learning experiences. Children learn about the world through their senses, sand and water certainly gives plenty for those senses to enjoy! Here's a poem to teach the children.

 

Sand in your fingernails

Sand between your toes

Sand in your earholes

Sand up you nose

 

Sand in your sandwiches

Sand in your bananas

Sand in your bed at night

Sand in your pyjamas

 

Sand in your sandals

Sand in your hair

Sand in your knickers

Sand every where!

 

by John Foster

 

Holidays at the sea side in Britain were the only option for most when I was little but happy memories were made playing on the beach and lets not underestimate the learning experiences it can bring to young children.

 

Firstly think of the language opportunities...here are some of the words and phrases that can be introduced and used in context just about playing in the sand:

sand, pebbles, shells, bucket, spade, scoop, shovel, across, change, different, enough, exactly, inside, outside, between, left over, less, least, middle, beside, more, less, most, next, under, past, same, room, space, whole, hole, beaker full, bowl full, carton full, spoon full, fall, fill, full, half full, fit back in, fit over, circular, crumbly, curved, damp, dry, flat, gentle, gritty, rough, smooth, hard, high, level, low, lumpy, pointed, rounded, sharp, silky, soft, solid, tickly, wavy, sinks in, trickles, colour, bottom, top, ripple, shape, size, blow, break, build, tunnel, cover, drag, draw, drop, feel, fill, grind, make, pick up, pour, press, pull, rub, scratch, shake, spoil, squeeze, stick, tilt, sieve......to name just a few!

 

There's nearly 100 words that your child might learn just from a week at the seaside having fun in the sand...obviously you wont bombard the poor things with all of them but it just shows what a great learning experience it can be ...and that's just for language development think of all the other areas of learning.

 

Sand and water plays a major role in early science learning. Children are natural explorers and when playing in the sand and in the water they learn about texture, consistency, how things move, how they react and change in different situations, what things are made of... natural or man-made. 

 

Sand and water play involves maths skills, measuring, counting, estimating.

 

Physical skills, digging, scooping, burying your big brother! It's out in the fresh air and involves running, jumping, rolling, stretching.

 

Playing in the sand and water helps children to develop what professionals call fine and gross motor skills and hand eye coordination, the skills they will need later on for writing.

 

It also helps children to play both independently and cooperatively.

 

It engages the imagination and develops creativity...CAN YOU TELL I'M A FAN!  

 

Once you are at the sea side, for the day or for the week, beach play can cost very little...take a picnic, it's always good to have sand in your sandwiches and bring half the kitchen with you instead of buying too many fancy bucket and spade sets.

 

                          Useful items for making the most of sand and water play

• different sized containers
• scoops and spoons
• a bucket
• a sieve
• a funnel
• bowls to be used as moulds
• some home made flags
• sand toys like cars and play people
• shade from the sun , a hat, long sleeved shirt and factor 50 sun cream
• a towel
• anything you can find on the beach including bits of wood, shells and pebbles

I looked all over for an old fashioned fishing net and found one in 'Tiger' - such an amazing shop! (it does recommend age 6+ though.

 

You can play safely in the sun, just be careful to provide shade, clothes that cover and factor 50 sun cream. Keep a close eye on your children at all times, don't let them wander as they can soon get lost on a crowded beach, very scary! Use your common sense and remember children need to learn about keeping safe and you are their instructor /role model. Check out www.nhs.uk/Livewell/skin/Pages/Sunsafe.aspx

 

If you can't get to the seaside try one of the town beaches like the one in Nottingham city centre. If you are local the Erewash Museum, Ilkeston has a man-made beach open to the public for free for the whole 6 weeks summer holiday this year. Or get some play sand and a paddling pool for the back yard.  

 

 

I made some little sandcastle flags out of fabric and some plastic sticks but they can be made in scrap paper instead and the children can design and make their own.