Fingerplay: Ocean shell
I found a great big shell one day
(cup both hands for a large shell)
Upon the ocean floor
I held it close up to my ear
(raise hand up to your ear)
I heard the ocean roar
I found a tiny little shell one day
(cup one hand for a small shell)
Upon the ocean sand
The waves had worm it nice and smooth
(pretend to roll shell between palm of
hand)
It felt nice in my hand.
Fingerplay: 5 little seagulls
(use fingers on one hand and count down)
Summer
The sea/beach is a great theme as it has many
visual and sensory experiences for a child of any
age. There is the combination of the moving
water next to the sand that moves with the water
tides. The texture of sand and how it can be
used for play and can be different wet and dry.
A bucket and spade is a must have for any child
going to the beach.
The sounds of the waves that hit the shore line
and the waves coming in and out is perfectly
illustrated in the picture book “Grandpa and
Thomas” by Pamela Allen. The sound of the
waves is repeated over and over so the child
can also tell the story making the sound.
Talk about things you can do at the beach
 Have a long walk
 Be able to run
 Get feet wet
 Digging and scooping sand
 Swimming near the shore
 Maybe enjoy an ice block/ice cream
 Hear the sound of the sea
 Watch birds and talk about why they are
near beach
 Find things on the sand like shells, rocks,
drift wood, seaweed, sea animals
 Explore the rock platforms if they have
them and see what lives there.
 Things you will need to take like a hat,
sunscreen, towel, bucket/spade, water,
something to eat.
5 little seagulls sitting on the beach
One walked along the shore
And then there were four.
4 little seagulls sitting on the beach
One hid behind a tree
And then there were three.
3 little seagulls sitting on the beach
One got up and flew
And then there were two.
2 little seagulls sitting on the beach
One went to have some fun
And then there was one.
1 little seagull sitting on the beach
She went to chase some sun
And then there were none.
Song: Down at the seashore
(to the tune “Down by station”)
Down at the seashore
Early in the morning
See the little seashells lying in the sun
See the happy children
Coming out to count them
1, 2, 3, 4, off they run
Rhyme: The sand castle
Sand castle on the beach
I built you big and strong
(arms up and wide)
A wave washed in upon the sand
(roll arms forward)
And whoops you were gone!
Rhyme: I went to the beach....
Sea/beach theme picture book titles for children;
I went to the beach and what did I see?
A bird on the sand looking at me!
(use thumb and index for bird opening
and closing beak)
Grandpa and Thomas by Pamela Allen
I went to the beach and what did I see?
A fish in the water (move hand on side)
splashing near me!
(move hand up and down in a fast
motion)
Magic beach by Alison Lester
I went to the beach and what did I see?
A crab in the sand moving from me!
(move fingers in a fast creeping motion)
Because your daddy loves you by Andrew Clements
I went to the beach and what did I see?
A crab in the sand moving from me!
(move fingers in a fast creeping motion)
Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle
I went to the beach and what did I see?
Children wearing sun hats
(put hands over head like a cap)
looking like ME! (point to self)
10 little hermit crabs by Lee Fox
Grandpa and Thomas and the green umbrella by
Pamela Allen
Harry by the Sea by Gene Zion
Greetings from Sandy Beach by Bob Graham
Swimmy by Leo Lionni
A house for hermit crab by Eric Carle
Maisy goes on holiday by Lucy Cousins
Commotion in the ocean by Giles Andreae
Song:The waves at the Beach
(to the tune” The Wheels on the Bus” )
Sea Food! by Guundie Kuchling
The waves at the beach go in and out, in
and out, in and out.
The waves at the beach go in and out,
all day long.
Fingerplay:
One little, two little, three little seashells
(count using fingers)
The waves at the beach go up and down,
up and down, up and down
The waves at the beach go up and down,
all day long.
The crabs at the beach, crawl back and
forth, back and forth, back and forth
The crabs at the beach, crawl back and
forth, all day long
The clams at the beach will open and close,
open and close, open and close
The clams at the beach will open and close
all day long.
The children at the beach dig and dig, dig
and dig, dig and dig.
The children at the beach dig and dig
All the day long
One little, two little, three little seashells
Four little, five little, six little seashells
Seven little, eight little, nine little seashells
Ten little seashells more
Ten little, nine little, eight little seashells
Seven little, six little, five little seashells
Four little, three little, two little seashells
One little seashell now
Always supervise a child of any age near
water at all times and be sun safe!