Objective
By the end of this lesson, the 2-year-old student will be able to explore and engage in beach play while practicing basic math skills and physical activities.
Materials and Prep
- Beach towel or blanket
- Bucket or small container
- Shovel or sand toys
- Beach ball or inflatable toy
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle
Before starting the lesson, make sure the area is safe for the child to play and explore. Apply sunscreen and have water readily available for hydration.
Activities
- Building Sandcastles: Encourage the student to use the bucket and shovel to build sandcastles. Count the number of buckets of sand needed for each castle.
- Beach Ball Toss: Stand a short distance away from the student and gently toss the beach ball towards them. Encourage them to catch and throw it back to you. Count how many times they catch the ball.
- Shell Sorting: Collect a variety of seashells and have the student sort them by size, shape, or color. Discuss the different attributes of each shell.
- Sand Shapes: Help the student make different shapes in the sand using their hands or toys. Talk about the characteristics of each shape (e.g., square, circle, triangle).
- Water Play: Fill the bucket with water and let the student pour and splash water using their hands or toys. Count how many times they fill and empty the bucket.
Talking Points
- "Look at the sand! It feels soft and warm under our feet."
- "Let's count how many buckets of sand we need to build a big sandcastle."
- "Can you catch the beach ball? Great job! Now throw it back to me."
- "Let's sort these seashells. Can you find the ones that are the same?"
- "What shape can we make in the sand? Let's try making a square with our hands."
- "Wow, you're splashing water! Let's count how many times you fill and empty the bucket."