How this product aligns with the EYLF
Supporting play-based learning and inquiry
The Dantoy Sand Shovel set encourages children to engage in open-ended play, allowing them to explore concepts of movement and creativity as they dig, scoop, and transport sand. This hands-on experience promotes inquiry as children experiment with different ways to use the shovels, fostering their natural curiosity and problem-solving skills in a playful context.
Supporting creativity and self-expression
The brightly coloured shovels serve as a tool for children to express their creativity during sand play, where they can create structures, patterns, and imaginative scenarios. By manipulating the shovels in various ways, children can explore their ideas and collaborate with peers, enhancing their ability to communicate and share their imaginative thoughts.
Relevant EYLF Outcomes
Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity
Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world
Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners
Classroom, Play Activity & Provocation Ideas
Classroom & Learning Area Ideas
Set up a sand play area with the shovels, encouraging children to explore different textures and develop fine motor skills through scooping and pouring.
Incorporate the shovels into a sensory bin with various materials, allowing children to investigate and compare how different items interact with the shovels.
Play-Based Activity Ideas
Organise a collaborative sandcastle-building activity where children use the shovels to create structures, promoting teamwork and communication.
Encourage children to use the shovels in a water play area, exploring concepts of volume and flow as they fill and empty containers.
Create a scavenger hunt in the sand, where children use the shovels to dig for hidden objects, fostering exploration and discovery.
Provocation Ideas
Present the shovels alongside a variety of natural materials (e.g., shells, stones) and invite children to create a beach scene, stimulating imaginative play.
Introduce a storytelling session where children use the shovels as props to act out a story set at the beach, enhancing language and narrative skills.
