Pond Life Day
My name is Sarah and I am an animal lady. I work for Animal-Tastic and visit schools, nurseries and care homes, teaching people about animals. Today I am going to teach you about pond life. We will be exploring my pond, learning about a toad and making our very own fishing game and aquarium.
Blaine the Toad
Today we are going to look at animal life under the water. I would like you all to meet Blaine, he is a cane toad from Australia.
Talk about what you have learnt about Blaine together with your child. Find out about toads and draw a picture of Blaine. Remember to include his markings on his back so that he blends into his background.
Pond Life
In this activity, I will show you the pond in my garden and talk about the different creatures that live under water. I wonder if we will see the fish that live in there?
Talk about what you have learnt about Blaine together with your child. Find out about toads and draw a picture of Blaine. Remember to include his markings on his back so that he blends into his background.
Make a Fishing Game
Make a fishing game together with your grown up.
This is a lovely activity to play together with your child. You can design and make your fish together using bright colours and patterns. This game supports children’s hand and eye coordination and encourages their learning through play. You could also put numbers on the fish to help with the children’s number recognition. At the end count how many fish you have caught. Have fun!
Make an Aquarium
In this activity we are going to make our own aquarium. You will need a box, paper, card, a pencil, felts/crayons, string, glue, and some scissors.
Encourage your child to look at different types of fish, big or small and how they move. Explain that fish in tanks need certain things to help them stay healthy and the responsibility of owning a pet fish. Help your child with the cutting out and invite them to make and decorate their very own tank. This encourages children to use their imaginations and creativity. It develops children’s language and communication linked to pond life. It develops their expressive art and design and knowledge and understanding of water creatures.
Extension
Why not try to make an underwater sea version of your aquarium. You could make an octopus, dolphins or a crab. Be as creative as you like!