by Linda Haver

Created on: November 06, 2010

A day at the beach offers families many opportunities for fun, relaxation, and learning.  Young children are naturally fascinated by the water, sand, and animal life found at the shore.  With a little advanced planning, parents can turn this natural curiosity into teachable moments.

Children love digging in the sand.  Go to the dollar store and buy some items that will enhance this sensory experience.  Of course start with the basic pail, shovel, and decorative sand molds.  Plastic measuring cups and scoops can also add to the learning.  Look for other small plastic containers with interesting shapes.  Purchase a child friendly magnifying glass.  Look for books about shells and sea life.

Play with your child in the sand.  Have them compare how much sand or water each measuring cup holds.  Let them explore the best place to build a sand castle.  Does it work better with dry or wet sand?  What is needed to mold sand?    Experiment with ways to make the structure taller or wider.

 Look at a pinch of sand with the magnifying glass.  Try to count the grains of sand.  This experiment can lead to discussions about big numbers and the definition of infinity. 

Investigate with objects to see if they sink or float.  Fill a pail with water and look for objects on the beach to test. 

Collect shells and examine them with the magnifying glass.  Sort the shells by color, shape or size.  Use the shell guide to identify common shells.  Take them home to use for future art projects.

Point out various seabirds.  Encourage the child to notice the different types of beaks and colors of feathers.   Watch the behavior of the birds as the waves go in and out.  Make up stories about the beach from a bird’s point of view.

Stand with your child at the edge of the surf without moving your feet.  As the waves flow in and out your feet will be buried in the sand.  Feel the power of the waves.  Build mounds of sand and predict how many waves need to come in before the mound has completely disappeared.  Dig small holes and guess how long it takes for the waves to make them disappear. 

Take note of any boats in the water.  This is a great opportunity for introducing vocabulary such as horizon and perspective.  See how many different kinds of boats your family can name. 

Sadly, there is usually some type of trash along the beach that was washed in with the tide.  This is a chance to teach your child about the importance clean water and the meaning of pollution.  It is never too early to teach a child how to be responsible with our natural resources.

Look for the teachable moments in every setting and all family members will benefit from the fun and learning.

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