During the preschool years, children focus on learning letters, so it's important to practice writing skills at school and home. At the beach, children can use a stick or other oblong object to carve letters into wet sand. The wet sand will hold the shape of the letter and allow it to remain visible. Children will have to clearly draw each letter according to its lines and shapes. Activities can go beyond individual letters by writing short words or children's names.
According to the Center For Effective Parenting, one of the most challenging tasks parents face is teaching their children to follow directions.This activity is goal oriented, and upon completion, children will have learned to follow directions in order. Children will be instructed to fill their buckets with sand, and to then dump the sand in another location. They need to do this until a hole forms. Then, they should be instructed to fill their buckets with water, and dump it into the hole, creating a small pool.
While playing in the water and on the sand, children may notice shells and rocks. Parents can encourage them to take notice of the items they observe and pick up items of interest to save as discoveries. They will be excited to have found their own personal treasure from the beach. Children can later research to find out what type of rock or shell they may have found.
Sand castles are most often associated with construction, but they can also be used to reward a child's creativity. When children have created a sand sculpture, they'll be proud to show it off. It's important to encourage creativity by providing praise. According to an article from the Center For Effective Parenting, children who feel good about themselves and their abilities are much more likely to do well in school than children who often think they can't do things right. It's important to allow children opportunities to be creative, and to praise them after they've competed something original.