Features

Enabling environments: Let's explore ... ships and boats

Take to the water and discover the scope for cross-curricular learning, imagination and creative activities in making and sailing boats, with suggestions from Jean Evans.

Children often become interested in boats and ships at this time of year as they travel on ferries, enjoy being pulled along in inflatable dinghies, play with toy boats in a rock pool or simply observe ships on the horizon during a seaside visit.

Encourage parents to collect photographs and souvenirs with a nautical flavour during such holidays and excursions so that their children can show them to their friends and discuss their memories.

You can enhance the children's interest at nursery by providing appropriate indoor and outdoor play-based opportunities on a small and large scale.

Be ready to follow a child's particular interest, and encourage others within the group to become involved. For example, if a child has seen a lifeboat launch, try visiting the RNLI children's website (www.rnli.org.uk/shorething). This website has lots of activities, some of which need adult input, but all are fun and very informative.

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