Starting points We placed some beach objects on a table covered in a white sheet. We had driftwood sticks, shells, seaweed and some crabs legs. All of these things had been found on the beach.
Step 2
We explored some of the objects, finding out what sounds they make, banging the sticks, blowing into the shells and scraping the shells and sticks on rough surfaces, shaking the shells inside net bags.
We used large magnifying glasses to explore in more detail, including other toys that became part of the play too. The materials then became part of other play in the room, especially in the water where it was noticed that they change colour when wet, just like on the beach.
Resources:
• beach treasure – driftwood, shells, seaweed etc
• net bags • magnifying glasses • printing blocks • glitter glue • paper • water based paint for printmaking • ribbons • beads
but this activity could develop in many different ways with other resources
Step 3
After some play, one child found a big tube of glitter glue which instantly changed the focus!
We also found some printing ink blocks and used them with the glitter glue to decorate the sticks.
We started by rolling the sticks on the blocks, but then the printing blocks became used as stamps for mark making on paper. The sticks were also used to print with, along with some of the other beach resources - the shells and seaweed.
We made ‘stick sandwiches’ between two printing blocks, and smeared the ink around on paper.
In the afternoon, we added ribbons and beads, wrapping and decorating the sticks further and making decorated ribbon necklaces which were then displayed on the fence.