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Tagged with 'Educational Insights'

Learn through fun outdoor play!
Playing outside is an essential part of a child's development. From making mud kitchens, to getting to know nature, learning and playing outside will help little learners form key developmental skills such as physical health & self-confidence!
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Base Ten: The Maths Mastery Manipulative

Base Ten Blocks are a maths manipulative that help young learners to understand how numbers relate to one another, specifically ones, tens, hundreds and thousands.

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Home Education: One Scottish Mum’s first-hand experience

 Jenny Eaves is a mummy of two small, delightfully energetic boys – five and two - and blogs at Monkey and Mouse. Based in Scotland, she started Monkey and Mouse in February 2015 as a way to share her daily adventures and family play ideas with others. She loves writing about travelling and days out, enjoying the countryside and many places of interest, both in the UK and abroad. Jenny gives us an interesting insight into what can be a controversial aspect of education.

How did you make the decision to home educate?

 When my eldest was a year old I had begun to have thoughts about schooling and whether it would be right for our family.  I met a local home education group when he was 18 months old and decided there and then that home education would be the way forward for us. 

How have you prepared your child to be ready for homeeducation?

 We technically already home educate from a young age.  Our children learn how to speak, learn their colours and numbers from us and of course they then begin exploring the world around them, learning as they go. So we’re not really preparing anything, we’re simply continuing to aid our son in his own exploration and learning.  

How do you encourage your children to socialise with their peers?

 This is always the big question for anyone who doesn’t know how the home educated world works. When really it should be the other way round!  Who doesn’t remember a teacher telling them in class that they’re ‘not here to socialise’! Or maybe that was just me being a chatterbox?!  We attend different home educated groups every week, meet with local friends who are home educated or playing with kids on the street when everyone else has finished school or at weekends.  Our five year old will also be joining a few clubs in the evenings too, but he’s still deciding which ones he would like to do.At the moment our five  year old has always preferred to play his owngames, keeping away from other kids play. However, very recently I have noticed him going off to join in with other children’s games and playing happily with them, which makes me very proud at how far he’s come. 

What support networks do you have in place?

 We have lots of home educated friends in the local area, including one of our five year olds best friends.  We are also a part of several home education Facebook groups, which are great for any questions we have and meeting new people. 

Are there any websites or information sources that you would recommend for other home educating parents?

 In Scotland there is Schoolhouse, which has a lot of information about Scottish Home Education (certain things are slightly different to English Home Education).  If you simply Google home education in your area or search for home education groups on Facebook you will find someone nearby who can point you in the direction you need. 

How have you planned the learning areas you will be focusing on?

 We aren’t planning any area, instead we will focus on our five year olds interests and go from there. For example one day he might want to read about the planets (English and Science) and we will take a day trip to the Glasgow Science Centre to visit the planetarium (English, Science, Maths), we might make Saturn collages (Art and Science) and in the evening go outside to look for planets and identify constellations (Science).  Of course the next day he might simply want to be Rocky from Paw Patrol, but that’s ok as children need to be able to just play too. 

 

Will you be following the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence?

No, we intend to mostly take the unschooling path (which is when you let your child learn with no set programme and with as much freedom as you can give). 

What do you feel are the benefits of home education?

It’s the smallest 'class’ size as you’re going to get!  Our eldest will only need to compete for attention with his brother, not with a whole class of children.  If there are any problems then he can get help straight away and he will not be pushed on to learn something when he’s not ready or be kept back when he’s ahead.He is free to enjoy learning and has the freedom to learn using what interests him, whether it be space, horses or wizardry.  It’s surprising how easily all the different topics can be brought into a day’s fun.There’s so much freedom to enjoy life without restrictions of school, childhood is short and it’s great to be able to learn through play for as long as they wantto.

 

How will you help your children to differentiate between‘education time’ and ‘home time’?

There won’t be a definition, learning should be fun, if my son enjoys learning he will want to do it whenever he feels like or he may not even realise it’s learning! 

What kind of resources have you stocked up on to supportyour child’s learning at home?

I have made sure we have a fully stocked art cupboard and baking cupboard for any projects we need. I also like to have lots of items for exploration such as magnets, maps, magnifying glasses, bug catchers and torches. We have a variety of educational 'toys’ including the Robot Mouse, Gears, Gears, Gears Set and Subscope from Learning Resources.  Our other vital piece of equipment is a library card, which opens up a huge world of learning. 

What advice would you give other parents thinking about home educating?

 Follow your gut instinct, if you think your child would benefit from home education then go for it.
Home Education: One Scottish Mum’s first-hand experience
 Jenny Eaves is a mummy of two small, delightfully energetic boys – five and two - and blogs at Monkey and Mouse. Based in Scotland, she started Monkey and Mouse in February 2015 as a way to share her daily adventures and family play ideas with others. She loves writing about travelling and days out, enjoying the countryside and many places of interest, both in the UK and abroad. Jenny gives us an interesting insight into what can be a controversial aspect of education.

How did you make the decision to home educate?

 When my eldest was a year old I had begun to have thoughts about schooling and whether it would be right for our family.  I met a local home education group when he was 18 months old and decided there and then that home education would be the way forward for us. 

How have you prepared your child to be ready for homeeducation?

 We technically already home educate from a young age.  Our children learn how to speak, learn their colours and numbers from us and of course they then begin exploring the world around them, learning as they go. So we’re not really preparing anything, we’re simply continuing to aid our son in his own exploration and learning.  

How do you encourage your children to socialise with their peers?

 This is always the big question for anyone who doesn’t know how the home educated world works. When really it should be the other way round!  Who doesn’t remember a teacher telling them in class that they’re ‘not here to socialise’! Or maybe that was just me being a chatterbox?!  We attend different home educated groups every week, meet with local friends who are home educated or playing with kids on the street when everyone else has finished school or at weekends.  Our five year old will also be joining a few clubs in the evenings too, but he’s still deciding which ones he would like to do.At the moment our five  year old has always preferred to play his owngames, keeping away from other kids play. However, very recently I have noticed him going off to join in with other children’s games and playing happily with them, which makes me very proud at how far he’s come. 

What support networks do you have in place?

 We have lots of home educated friends in the local area, including one of our five year olds best friends.  We are also a part of several home education Facebook groups, which are great for any questions we have and meeting new people. 

Are there any websites or information sources that you would recommend for other home educating parents?

 In Scotland there is Schoolhouse, which has a lot of information about Scottish Home Education (certain things are slightly different to English Home Education).  If you simply Google home education in your area or search for home education groups on Facebook you will find someone nearby who can point you in the direction you need. 

How have you planned the learning areas you will be focusing on?

 We aren’t planning any area, instead we will focus on our five year olds interests and go from there. For example one day he might want to read about the planets (English and Science) and we will take a day trip to the Glasgow Science Centre to visit the planetarium (English, Science, Maths), we might make Saturn collages (Art and Science) and in the evening go outside to look for planets and identify constellations (Science).  Of course the next day he might simply want to be Rocky from Paw Patrol, but that’s ok as children need to be able to just play too. 

 

Will you be following the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence?

No, we intend to mostly take the unschooling path (which is when you let your child learn with no set programme and with as much freedom as you can give). 

What do you feel are the benefits of home education?

It’s the smallest 'class’ size as you’re going to get!  Our eldest will only need to compete for attention with his brother, not with a whole class of children.  If there are any problems then he can get help straight away and he will not be pushed on to learn something when he’s not ready or be kept back when he’s ahead.He is free to enjoy learning and has the freedom to learn using what interests him, whether it be space, horses or wizardry.  It’s surprising how easily all the different topics can be brought into a day’s fun.There’s so much freedom to enjoy life without restrictions of school, childhood is short and it’s great to be able to learn through play for as long as they wantto.

 

How will you help your children to differentiate between‘education time’ and ‘home time’?

There won’t be a definition, learning should be fun, if my son enjoys learning he will want to do it whenever he feels like or he may not even realise it’s learning! 

What kind of resources have you stocked up on to supportyour child’s learning at home?

I have made sure we have a fully stocked art cupboard and baking cupboard for any projects we need. I also like to have lots of items for exploration such as magnets, maps, magnifying glasses, bug catchers and torches. We have a variety of educational 'toys’ including the Robot Mouse, Gears, Gears, Gears Set and Subscope from Learning Resources.  Our other vital piece of equipment is a library card, which opens up a huge world of learning. 

What advice would you give other parents thinking about home educating?

 Follow your gut instinct, if you think your child would benefit from home education then go for it.
 READ MORE

What to expect from your child’s first week at ‘big’ school

image
Getting ready to start ‘big’ school is a brand new adventure for young learners and marks a new chapter in their life. It is an exciting time but can sometimes bring about feelings of uncertainty in both parents and children.Our in-house educational expert and early years teacher, Joanne Moore, has laid out a typical first week to help you and your family prepare for it over the summer break.
image
 

The first day

The day of the week your child begins school depends on how the school year falls, but in the UK is usually somewhere around the 5th of September. Your child is likely to be broken into the school routine gradually, beginning with attending mornings only, however this varies from school to school.Many schools will allow children to settle and build up to mixing the reception class with other year groups. This is particularly true of lunchtimes, where a busy environment with children from other year groups can be overwhelming.Dropping off your child at school for the first time can be an emotional experience but it is important that you don’t convey negative emotions to your child. In this situation, positivity is key and it is better not to linger once your child is safely inside as this can be unsettling. It can be tough to walk away when your child is upset but from experience I can say that within the first five minutes they will become distracted by a toy or join in with a game – teachers and school staff are well prepared for such situations.If your child has been upset in the morning you will likely receive a phone call to let you know that they have settled. If you don’t, then don’t hesitate to call the school yourself, they will not mind one bit.The first activity of the day will be the register. The whole class will gather on the carpet with crossed legs, which can be a new concept for some children. The register will help children become familiar with the other names in the class and the process of answering to their name in a class setting.After the register has been completed, this is usually followed by a circle time activity. One that I used in my classroom was the name game. Children would roll a ball to another child and say “I’m rolling the ball to Harry”, Harry would then say “thank you Rosie, I’m rolling the ball to Peter”. This helps children get to know everyone’s names and begin working on their social skills. The Learning Resources Circle Time Activity Set is perfect for this.
image
All AroundLearningâ„¢ Circle Time Activity Set The majority of the first day will be mostly child initiated play as children will be free to roam through all of the different classroom areas. These usually consist of areas allocated to:

The first week

The first week at school is an opportunity for the class teacher to understand what children already know by observing play and asking questions. This helps them to know what style of activities to plan and where to take them in their next steps. The week will consist of class and group activities and purposeful play as children become familiar with their new surroundings and peers. At this age, making friends is easy for children and they are very open to new relationships. It is often the case that some children in the class have come from the same catchment nursery, but do not worry if your child didn’t attend a preschool or nursery as they’ll soon adapt and make friends very quickly.A topic that children will likely be focusing on during their first weeks at school is ‘All About Me’. This topic focuses on every day things that they’re used to such as:
  • Going to the shops
  • Familiar stories
  • Places – doctors surgery, dentist etc.
  • Emotions
  • Their appearance
Within this topic you can usually expect children to be doing activities such as role play, painting self portraits or reading familiar stories. Learning Resources All About Me Double Sided Mirror Boards are perfect for this as they feature a regular mirror on one side and a wipe-clean panel on the reverse. Children can study themselves and their emotions in the mirror before drawing the facial features on the reverse.All About Me Double Sided Mirror Boards

What differences will you notice in your child?

In the first few weeks children will be extremely tired. They are not used to being so busy and having to concentrate for long periods of time.  If your child is tired when they get home allow some down time or a short nap to re-energise them. A good bedtime routine is very important at this chapter in their lives and will help them keep their energy levels up throughout the day.They may also be hungry as they will be using up a lot of energy at school. Most schools have the free fruit scheme where the children are offered a fruit or vegetable mid-morning. Make sure your child has breakfast before starting school so that they are refuelled and able to take part in physical activities. 

How can you prepare?

Daily Schedule Pocket Chart                   Good Job Reward Chart When your child starts school they will need to complete self-care tasks independently that they may have had help with at home. These include things like going to the toilet, getting dressed, washing their hands, feeding themselves and tidying up. Over the summer break it would benefit your child if you begin to encourage them to complete these tasks on their own. There will be somebody available to help if your child is struggling but with 30 children in a class they may not get the attention they are used to. A star chart is a great way to introduce these tasks and provide an incentive for them to succeed.It may also help your child to familiarise them with sitting cross legged. In nurseries and pre-schools children often sit on chairs and are not used to sitting on the floor. In their first week at school they will be sat on carpet for long periods of time, so if they are used to sitting that way it will be a lot easier for them.You can create a positive outlook towards beginning school by having enthusiastic conversations about their journey to school, things they might do at school and the topics they will be learning about. Finding out their teacher’s name means you can mention them in conversations building up a familiarity. Visiting the school with your child for an informal event before they start such as a fete or open day will help you both to visualise it when you are talking about it.Children are like sponges when they begin school and are ready to take in a lot of information. The reception teacher will support your child in developing new skills ready for Key Stage 1. Social and communication skills are important in reception as the ability to communicate thoughts and feelings will allow your child to form relationships and express themselves. Try teaching your child phrases such as “can I join in?”, “can I play with you?” and “do you want to share?” Lastly, a few practical tips from teacher to parent:
  • Make sure you know what equipment will be needed, a list will be circulated at the new parents evening so make sure to request one if you haven’t received it yet. It will be made up of items such as sweatshirts, t-shirts, socks, PE kit, PE bag, school shoes, book bag, coat.
  • Put name labels on absolutely everything! When children start school they all bring in a book bag with a name tag but may not be able to read their name confidently. Attach a recognisable key ring to your child’s book bag, this way they will be able to find it with ease.
  • Make sure to provide your child with a water bottle, as it is most schools policy that children can only drink water at school. If your child isn’t used to drinking water try to reduce the amount of squash within their drinks during the summer so that water eventually becomes a familiar concept to them.
  • Practise using pencils and scissors over the summer break, this will aid their fine motor skills and help them to improve their grip before beginning school.
  • Try not worry, the early years is all about having fun and learning through purposeful play!
Browse the School Readiness page on our website for resources to help give them a head start in areas such as speech, language and communication, self-awareness and confidence, pre-writing skills, numbers and early phonics skills.
What to expect from your child’s first week at ‘big’ school
image
Getting ready to start ‘big’ school is a brand new adventure for young learners and marks a new chapter in their life. It is an exciting time but can sometimes bring about feelings of uncertainty in both parents and children.Our in-house educational expert and early years teacher, Joanne Moore, has laid out a typical first week to help you and your family prepare for it over the summer break.
image
 

The first day

The day of the week your child begins school depends on how the school year falls, but in the UK is usually somewhere around the 5th of September. Your child is likely to be broken into the school routine gradually, beginning with attending mornings only, however this varies from school to school.Many schools will allow children to settle and build up to mixing the reception class with other year groups. This is particularly true of lunchtimes, where a busy environment with children from other year groups can be overwhelming.Dropping off your child at school for the first time can be an emotional experience but it is important that you don’t convey negative emotions to your child. In this situation, positivity is key and it is better not to linger once your child is safely inside as this can be unsettling. It can be tough to walk away when your child is upset but from experience I can say that within the first five minutes they will become distracted by a toy or join in with a game – teachers and school staff are well prepared for such situations.If your child has been upset in the morning you will likely receive a phone call to let you know that they have settled. If you don’t, then don’t hesitate to call the school yourself, they will not mind one bit.The first activity of the day will be the register. The whole class will gather on the carpet with crossed legs, which can be a new concept for some children. The register will help children become familiar with the other names in the class and the process of answering to their name in a class setting.After the register has been completed, this is usually followed by a circle time activity. One that I used in my classroom was the name game. Children would roll a ball to another child and say “I’m rolling the ball to Harry”, Harry would then say “thank you Rosie, I’m rolling the ball to Peter”. This helps children get to know everyone’s names and begin working on their social skills. The Learning Resources Circle Time Activity Set is perfect for this.
image
All AroundLearningâ„¢ Circle Time Activity Set The majority of the first day will be mostly child initiated play as children will be free to roam through all of the different classroom areas. These usually consist of areas allocated to:

The first week

The first week at school is an opportunity for the class teacher to understand what children already know by observing play and asking questions. This helps them to know what style of activities to plan and where to take them in their next steps. The week will consist of class and group activities and purposeful play as children become familiar with their new surroundings and peers. At this age, making friends is easy for children and they are very open to new relationships. It is often the case that some children in the class have come from the same catchment nursery, but do not worry if your child didn’t attend a preschool or nursery as they’ll soon adapt and make friends very quickly.A topic that children will likely be focusing on during their first weeks at school is ‘All About Me’. This topic focuses on every day things that they’re used to such as:
  • Going to the shops
  • Familiar stories
  • Places – doctors surgery, dentist etc.
  • Emotions
  • Their appearance
Within this topic you can usually expect children to be doing activities such as role play, painting self portraits or reading familiar stories. Learning Resources All About Me Double Sided Mirror Boards are perfect for this as they feature a regular mirror on one side and a wipe-clean panel on the reverse. Children can study themselves and their emotions in the mirror before drawing the facial features on the reverse.All About Me Double Sided Mirror Boards

What differences will you notice in your child?

In the first few weeks children will be extremely tired. They are not used to being so busy and having to concentrate for long periods of time.  If your child is tired when they get home allow some down time or a short nap to re-energise them. A good bedtime routine is very important at this chapter in their lives and will help them keep their energy levels up throughout the day.They may also be hungry as they will be using up a lot of energy at school. Most schools have the free fruit scheme where the children are offered a fruit or vegetable mid-morning. Make sure your child has breakfast before starting school so that they are refuelled and able to take part in physical activities. 

How can you prepare?

Daily Schedule Pocket Chart                   Good Job Reward Chart When your child starts school they will need to complete self-care tasks independently that they may have had help with at home. These include things like going to the toilet, getting dressed, washing their hands, feeding themselves and tidying up. Over the summer break it would benefit your child if you begin to encourage them to complete these tasks on their own. There will be somebody available to help if your child is struggling but with 30 children in a class they may not get the attention they are used to. A star chart is a great way to introduce these tasks and provide an incentive for them to succeed.It may also help your child to familiarise them with sitting cross legged. In nurseries and pre-schools children often sit on chairs and are not used to sitting on the floor. In their first week at school they will be sat on carpet for long periods of time, so if they are used to sitting that way it will be a lot easier for them.You can create a positive outlook towards beginning school by having enthusiastic conversations about their journey to school, things they might do at school and the topics they will be learning about. Finding out their teacher’s name means you can mention them in conversations building up a familiarity. Visiting the school with your child for an informal event before they start such as a fete or open day will help you both to visualise it when you are talking about it.Children are like sponges when they begin school and are ready to take in a lot of information. The reception teacher will support your child in developing new skills ready for Key Stage 1. Social and communication skills are important in reception as the ability to communicate thoughts and feelings will allow your child to form relationships and express themselves. Try teaching your child phrases such as “can I join in?”, “can I play with you?” and “do you want to share?” Lastly, a few practical tips from teacher to parent:
  • Make sure you know what equipment will be needed, a list will be circulated at the new parents evening so make sure to request one if you haven’t received it yet. It will be made up of items such as sweatshirts, t-shirts, socks, PE kit, PE bag, school shoes, book bag, coat.
  • Put name labels on absolutely everything! When children start school they all bring in a book bag with a name tag but may not be able to read their name confidently. Attach a recognisable key ring to your child’s book bag, this way they will be able to find it with ease.
  • Make sure to provide your child with a water bottle, as it is most schools policy that children can only drink water at school. If your child isn’t used to drinking water try to reduce the amount of squash within their drinks during the summer so that water eventually becomes a familiar concept to them.
  • Practise using pencils and scissors over the summer break, this will aid their fine motor skills and help them to improve their grip before beginning school.
  • Try not worry, the early years is all about having fun and learning through purposeful play!
Browse the School Readiness page on our website for resources to help give them a head start in areas such as speech, language and communication, self-awareness and confidence, pre-writing skills, numbers and early phonics skills. READ MORE
Explore the miracle of magnification with Luna 2.0 and Zoomy™ 2.0
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How a trip to the beach can inspire independent learning

image
 The beach is the perfect place for outdoor exploration with ample opportunities to encourage independent learning. Home to mini beasts, plants, birds and providing habitats like rock pools, young learners can have fun getting active and exploring the world around them. Spending time in natural environments such as coastlines enables children to explore their senses as they are surrounded by a variety of textures, smells, sights and sounds creating an ideal setting for all types of learners. A trip to the beach can also support children’s learning at school. The National Curriculum for England references ‘animals including humans’ and ‘living things and their habitats’ within the programme of study for Key Stages 1 and 2. The aims that are highlighted for Science include:
  • “Describe and compare the structure of a variety of common animals (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, including pets)
  • Explore and compare the differences between things that are living, dead, and things that have never been alive identify that most living things live in habitats to which they are suited and describe how different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants, and how they depend on each other
  • Identify and name a variety of plants and animals in their habitats, including microhabitats
  • Compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties”
 If you are planning to visit a beach, either in the UK or abroad, here are five engaging activities to keep your young explorers engaged and learning this summer!

 

Discovering Mini Beasts

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GeoSafari® Jr Aqua MagnifierGeoSafari® Jr BugnocularsRock pools are the perfect place to discover mini beasts! When the tide goes out you can find all sorts of creatures such as barnacles, mussels, shore crabs, hermit crabs, shrimps, prawns, starfish, sand hoppers, common whelk, dog whelk and razor shells. The plants and animals that live in rock pools have adapted to live in challenging conditions such as changing water temperatures and oxygen levels. Take a close up look of your discoveries by pouring some sea water into a clear container and carefully placing your finds inside. Make sure the container has air holes and that you treat your finds gently. What details can you see?Once you have finished observing your creatures make sure you return them back safely to where you found them. Did you know…? -Hermit crabs move into ever larger shells as they grow- Mussels are commercially grown on ropes, as well as harvested from wild growing populations-Sand Hoppers are also known as Sand Fleas because of their amazing jumping abilities- Whelks are collected for food, and taste wonderful with vinegar and white pepper.-A crab can regrow a leg or a claw if it loses one

 

Searching for treasure

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GeoSafari® Jr Great Excavations TurtlePrimary Scienceâ„¢ Metal Detector Young learners can become pirates for the day by searching the shores for treasure! Lots of things can be found within the sand including rocks, shells,coins and fossils! A metal detector is a great way to help find these hidden gems! Use a sieve and magnifying tool to help identify your findings.What will you find? Did you know…? 
  • With the exact location withheld, over a six-year period amateur enthusiasts found over 900 silver pennies on an Anglesey beach. Dates of the pennies ranged from 1272-1307 and while most were English, there were also coins from Scotland, Ireland and some European countries.
  • Runswick Bay, just north of Whitby is an excellent destination for any beachcomber. Nominated England’s best beach for beachcombing in 2007, the beach and its surrounding cliffs are constantly revealing ancient fossils, lost jewellery and semi-precious stones.
  • Westward Ho! on the North Devon Coast is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and turns up some great finds for beachcombers. When the tide goes out, two shipwrecks are visible in the sand.

 

Underwater discovery

image
GeoSafari® Jr Subscopeâ„¢GeoSafari® Jr. Underwater Explorer and Magnifier Almost ¾ of the earth’s surface is covered with water and the seas around the UK are home to thousands of plants and other wildlife! Often unseen there are different habitats underwater that are home to all kinds of species from tiny sprat to great white sharks! Take a sneak peek underwater and magnify hidden habitats with tools such as Subscopes and Underwater Explorers. You can try this in the sea, rock pools or even a big puddle of water. Try drawing what you see, how does the view change when you use a Subscope? Can you find anything that isn’t alive such as shells, beach glass, rocks or fossils?

 

Sand Play

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Sand MouldsDino Construction Companyâ„¢ Vehicles Everybody knows that the beach is the ideal opportunity to build a sandcastle, but there are also lots of other creative ways you can use sand as a building or sensory material! Sand Moulds are a great way to reinforce letter recognition as young learners can spell their name or simple words in the sand. TheEarly Years Foundation Stage framework encourages sand play as a practical activity to enjoy the sensory experience of making marks in damp sandand to prompt children to ask and respond to questions. Playing with sand is an open-ended experience that invites children to use their imagination. This can be supported by using sand toys, asking questions about what they are doing and allowing time for children’s sand play to come to a natural end. Play vehicles such as Dump Trucks or Mixers that feature moving parts are ideal for encouraging an early understanding of cause and effect.

 

Active Play

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Smart Tossâ„¢ Early Skills Activity SetAlpha Catchâ„¢ Phonics Game One of the great benefits of visiting the beach is the amount of space, the sand also provides a soft landing, making it the perfect place for outdoor active play games including catch and relay racing. Physical movement combined with early learning skills are great for kinaesthetic learners and aid the development of gross motor movements, muscle control and coordination. This type of play also aids bilateral integration, the ability to perform actions using both sides of the body simultaneously, and impacts a child’s ability to read and write. 

“The best classroom and the richest cupboard is roofed only by the sky”

 -   Margaret McMillan, campaigner for children’s and worker’s rights and founder of the first open-air nursery in the UK.   The interesting facts shared within this post are courtesy of:www.wildlifewatch.org.uk www.countryfile.comhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/nature http://www.northpenninesoutdoorlearning.com/
How a trip to the beach can inspire independent learning
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 The beach is the perfect place for outdoor exploration with ample opportunities to encourage independent learning. Home to mini beasts, plants, birds and providing habitats like rock pools, young learners can have fun getting active and exploring the world around them. Spending time in natural environments such as coastlines enables children to explore their senses as they are surrounded by a variety of textures, smells, sights and sounds creating an ideal setting for all types of learners. A trip to the beach can also support children’s learning at school. The National Curriculum for England references ‘animals including humans’ and ‘living things and their habitats’ within the programme of study for Key Stages 1 and 2. The aims that are highlighted for Science include:
  • “Describe and compare the structure of a variety of common animals (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, including pets)
  • Explore and compare the differences between things that are living, dead, and things that have never been alive identify that most living things live in habitats to which they are suited and describe how different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants, and how they depend on each other
  • Identify and name a variety of plants and animals in their habitats, including microhabitats
  • Compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties”
 If you are planning to visit a beach, either in the UK or abroad, here are five engaging activities to keep your young explorers engaged and learning this summer!

 

Discovering Mini Beasts

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GeoSafari® Jr Aqua MagnifierGeoSafari® Jr BugnocularsRock pools are the perfect place to discover mini beasts! When the tide goes out you can find all sorts of creatures such as barnacles, mussels, shore crabs, hermit crabs, shrimps, prawns, starfish, sand hoppers, common whelk, dog whelk and razor shells. The plants and animals that live in rock pools have adapted to live in challenging conditions such as changing water temperatures and oxygen levels. Take a close up look of your discoveries by pouring some sea water into a clear container and carefully placing your finds inside. Make sure the container has air holes and that you treat your finds gently. What details can you see?Once you have finished observing your creatures make sure you return them back safely to where you found them. Did you know…? -Hermit crabs move into ever larger shells as they grow- Mussels are commercially grown on ropes, as well as harvested from wild growing populations-Sand Hoppers are also known as Sand Fleas because of their amazing jumping abilities- Whelks are collected for food, and taste wonderful with vinegar and white pepper.-A crab can regrow a leg or a claw if it loses one

 

Searching for treasure

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GeoSafari® Jr Great Excavations TurtlePrimary Scienceâ„¢ Metal Detector Young learners can become pirates for the day by searching the shores for treasure! Lots of things can be found within the sand including rocks, shells,coins and fossils! A metal detector is a great way to help find these hidden gems! Use a sieve and magnifying tool to help identify your findings.What will you find? Did you know…? 
  • With the exact location withheld, over a six-year period amateur enthusiasts found over 900 silver pennies on an Anglesey beach. Dates of the pennies ranged from 1272-1307 and while most were English, there were also coins from Scotland, Ireland and some European countries.
  • Runswick Bay, just north of Whitby is an excellent destination for any beachcomber. Nominated England’s best beach for beachcombing in 2007, the beach and its surrounding cliffs are constantly revealing ancient fossils, lost jewellery and semi-precious stones.
  • Westward Ho! on the North Devon Coast is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and turns up some great finds for beachcombers. When the tide goes out, two shipwrecks are visible in the sand.

 

Underwater discovery

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GeoSafari® Jr Subscopeâ„¢GeoSafari® Jr. Underwater Explorer and Magnifier Almost ¾ of the earth’s surface is covered with water and the seas around the UK are home to thousands of plants and other wildlife! Often unseen there are different habitats underwater that are home to all kinds of species from tiny sprat to great white sharks! Take a sneak peek underwater and magnify hidden habitats with tools such as Subscopes and Underwater Explorers. You can try this in the sea, rock pools or even a big puddle of water. Try drawing what you see, how does the view change when you use a Subscope? Can you find anything that isn’t alive such as shells, beach glass, rocks or fossils?

 

Sand Play

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Sand MouldsDino Construction Companyâ„¢ Vehicles Everybody knows that the beach is the ideal opportunity to build a sandcastle, but there are also lots of other creative ways you can use sand as a building or sensory material! Sand Moulds are a great way to reinforce letter recognition as young learners can spell their name or simple words in the sand. TheEarly Years Foundation Stage framework encourages sand play as a practical activity to enjoy the sensory experience of making marks in damp sandand to prompt children to ask and respond to questions. Playing with sand is an open-ended experience that invites children to use their imagination. This can be supported by using sand toys, asking questions about what they are doing and allowing time for children’s sand play to come to a natural end. Play vehicles such as Dump Trucks or Mixers that feature moving parts are ideal for encouraging an early understanding of cause and effect.

 

Active Play

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Smart Tossâ„¢ Early Skills Activity SetAlpha Catchâ„¢ Phonics Game One of the great benefits of visiting the beach is the amount of space, the sand also provides a soft landing, making it the perfect place for outdoor active play games including catch and relay racing. Physical movement combined with early learning skills are great for kinaesthetic learners and aid the development of gross motor movements, muscle control and coordination. This type of play also aids bilateral integration, the ability to perform actions using both sides of the body simultaneously, and impacts a child’s ability to read and write. 

“The best classroom and the richest cupboard is roofed only by the sky”

 -   Margaret McMillan, campaigner for children’s and worker’s rights and founder of the first open-air nursery in the UK.   The interesting facts shared within this post are courtesy of:www.wildlifewatch.org.uk www.countryfile.comhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/nature http://www.northpenninesoutdoorlearning.com/ READ MORE
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