There are learning opportunities everywhere, but especially outside. From Math to Literature, you can incorporate your child's education into your daily life.
Take a Hike
while walking on the beach, encourage your child to experiment with different kinds of movement. Cartwheels, dancing, running, skipping, etc. Ask them questions like how moving in sand differs from walking in the water, on the dock, or in the parking lot. Is it easier or more difficult? What are the textures and temperatures of the ground? Where can they move the quickest?
Build a Castle
Honestly, who can resist digging, stacking, burying, sifting, and shaping sand? This is great for infants! They get to work on their motor skills and have fun doing it. Race with the older kiddos to see who can build the tallest structure or collaborate on a construction project that will introduce physics concepts and give your child practice communicating and cooperating.
Scavenger Hunt
Not only is incredibly fun for the kiddos, but they get to explore and intentionally look at their surroundings. They'll notice things they probably wouldn't have noticed or thought twice about. You can make the scavenger hunt for anything and at any difficulty level. Make a list of natural and man-made items they could find on the beach. Play detectives or pirates hunting for loot, adding imaginative dimension to the activity.
Seashell Size Sorting, Comparison + Counting
After the scavenger hunt, use it as an opportunity to examine their findings. So simple, yet so impactful. Not only do they get to experience the different colors, textures and sizes with seashells, but they get to hunt for them, count them, and compare them with each other.
Measure The Shells Bring a jar to fill with the shells, sea glass, sand dollars, rocks, etc. Challenge your child to organize by size, color or type to give them practice sorting and classifying. Bring a measuring tape and work on measurements and counting.
Write In The Sand
Work on their spelling, site words, or just get them used to writing the alphabet. Write their names in the sand. Make a game of it by giving them a site word to write before the waves wash it away.
Imitate What You See Can your child become a fish, gull, or crashing wave? Encouraging dramatic play on the beach will stimulate their imagination and develop her observation skills. Don't forget to join in!
Play Games There's no end to the number of beach balls and flyers available. Bring a few playthings along to offer exercise and develop coordination and good sportsmanship.
Observe Wildlife Take some time to watch birds or study fish. Count the different kinds, and talk about what they look like, how they move around, and what they eat. You might want to give your child a small net to catch fish and help them put them in a jar to observe. Or just take them fishing. Not only will they get to observe the fish they catch, but the bait they use as well. Minnows, worms, leaches and more offer so many great learning experiences for them.
Pitch In If your family's spending some time at the beach, how about joining in some clean-up efforts? Helping pick up trash (monitor this closely) will not only teach your child the value of community service, but also develop their respect for the environment.