The Outdoor Classroom At Its Best! Look What We Are Learning At The Beach!

FOR A YOUNG CHILD, EXPLORING THE BEACH IS JUST ABOUT THE BEST OUTDOOR CLASSROOM EVER! 

All photos in this article are by Carolyn @ Magical Movement Company unless otherwise noted

If you are fortunate enough to live near a beach, then you probably know already how much fun it is for the children in your lives. Maybe, you're on your way to the beach for the 3 day weekend and a last glimpse at summertime! You might also discover just how much important learning goes on for the lucky child who is exploring the magnificent ocean and its amazing beaches. It truly is the BEST Outdoor Classroom!

At the beach, a young child not only gets fresh air, sunshine, and a chance to feel the salty sea on their toes...they also practice important skills! 
For example:

LARGE MOTOR EXPLORATION: KEEP YOUR BALANCE! 

IMAGINATIVE PLAY, ENGINEERING, & PROBLEM SOLVING

THE STUDY OF ZOOLOGY: BIRD WATCHING

ZOOLOGY AGAIN: BIRD IDENTIFICATION

DON'T FORGET THE BINOCULARS FOR REAL SCIENTIFIC OBSERVATION

These child size binoculars are available at Amazon

Nearly every time I go to the beach, I spot a seal, or dolphins, even sea otters and don't forget whales! When I remember to bring my binoculars, it opens up a whole new world of observation!

READING! BRINGING ALONG A SMALL PAPERBACK BOOK OR TWO CAN REALLY ENHANCE THE EXPLORATION & DISCOVERY

ILLUSTRATED GUIDES CAN STIMULATE OBSERVATION SKILLS ALONG WITH READING

I had to spend some time verifying the names of the sea creatures I found at the beach yesterday! Good thing I had my guide with me. You can also look up just about any of these on google images and wikipedia with your mobile device.

BOTANY: THE STUDY OF BEACH PLANTS

METEOROLOGY: IT'S ALL AROUND US AT THE BEACH!
THE CLOUDS, THE TIDES, THE WAVES...

MAKE  BEACH ART!

SUN PRINTS AT THE BEACH

H

Sun Print Kit available at this link: Amazon

Often, I carry a sketch pad and art materials when I go to the beach. Pastels and ink pens are great for making art at the beach since you don't need water or brushes. Last summer, my grand daughter and I were making art at the beach and this is what she came up with. Something to cherish for sure! She gifted me with it...

"Our Beach Family" 

Chalk Pastels & Colored Pencils

by Emily (age 11 yrs)

What a way to spend one of the last days of summer!

DON'T FORGET SINGING AT THE BEACH!

I love to sing (and dance) at the beach, because the beach creatures come around immediately. It's as if they think I am calling them! (MUSIC is truly the UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE!) My own children and I would often go to the water's edge and sing our favorite songs. Invariably the sea gulls would flock around us and often a lone seal would glide by, just checking us out! 

I used to have a wonderful little Montessori program in Mendocino, CA and we would sometimes take the children to the beach by walking down the trail behind our building. 

One year, there was a huge oil spill in the Pacific just north of where we lived, and the children had heard a lot about how this had killed many of the sea creatures. 

The children were very saddened by what had happened, and my Assistant and I got some red clay and invited the children to form little sea creatures out of the clay. We told them that we would take these little creatures down to the ocean and sing songs for the ones who had died. 

The children loved the idea, and when we completed our little songs to the sea, we all threw our little clay creations into the water to let the waves carry them away.

I am happy that you have come to visit my blog and I hope that you enjoyed the visit. I would love to hear your ideas if you care to make a comment in the section below!

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