In the ocean, there are only three male animals (pipe fish, sea dragons and seahorses) that carry the fertilized eggs in a pouch and hatch them. What amazing animals! National Geographic Kids video explains it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqP0xqbnAMU
Also, like octopi, seahorses use camouflage to protect themselves from predators. They can be hard to see in the colorful coral reef! We explored at camouflage in the previous Ocean – Octopus section.
Science
The ocean is such a vibrant place that we can try to explore it with this science experiment called Fireworks in Oil and Water. For this experiment, you need (1) a glass container, (2) water, (3) oil in small container, (4) 2 drops of food coloring, (5) a spoon.
Have your child mix very well 2 drops of 2 different food coloring in oil. Then pour the mixture slowly in the container full of water and see what happens! https://gosciencekids.com/fireworks-science-kids-oil-water-density/
If your child has a science journal, have your child make a drawing of the experiment that you can date and label.
Language Arts
Eric Carle has written many books with colorful illustrations like Mister Seahorse based on the use of tissue paper layers. Here is his book read https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yoqxhIi4HbQ
After viewing the book, help your child recall the animals Mr. Seahorse meet and how they carry their baby eggs.
The Seahorse and the Starfish Fingerplay (fingers or you can also make puppets)
Five little starfish floating in the tide.
One said “Please seahorse, may I have a ride?”
The seahorse said “What good manners, sure!” Away they went and then there were four.
Four little starfish floating in the tide.
One said “Please seahorse, may I have a ride?”
The seahorse said “Sounds good to me!” Away they went and then there were three.
Three little starfish floating in the tide.
One said “Please seahorse, may I have a ride?”
The seahorse said “I’ll take you somewhere new.”
Away they went, and then there were 2.
Two little starfish floating in the tide.
One said “Please seahorse, may I have a ride?”
The seahorse said “Sure! That sounds fun!
Away they went, and then there was one.
One little starfish floating in the tide said “Please seashore, may I have a ride?” The seashore said “Hop on little one.” Away they went and then there was one.
Ocean Fingerplay
Five little sea creatures
On the ocean floor;
The lobster walked away
Now there are four.
Four little sea creatures
Living in the sea,
The octopus crept away
Now there are three.
Three little sea creatures
Wondering what to do;
“Good-bye,” said the starfish
Now there are two.
Two little sea creatures
Not having much fun;
Off swam the sea horse
Now there is one.
One little hermit crab
Sad and all alone,
Back came the starfish,
Back came the sea horse,
Back came the octopus,
Back came the lobster,
Then all five went home.
Daddy Seahorse Song (Tune of “Clementine”)
Daddy Seahorse, Daddy Seahorse,
Swimming in the deep blue sea.
Holding tightly to his babies,
In his pouch so snuggly!
Babies hatching, babies hatching,
Hatching in the deep blue sea.
Thank you daddy, daddy thank you,
You have taken good care of me!
Seahorse starts with S and let’s practice tracing by starting at the top https://twistynoodle.com/uppercase-letter-s-4-coloring-page/
Math
May is a new month and your child needs a new calendar. Print this calendar set https://www.themailbox.com/magazines/may-calendar-setbr4-pages/may-calendar-set and have your child choose a pattern to follow for the new month.
Make your own custom Bingo Cards http://www.dltk-cards.com/bingo/
Art
For this art craft, you need (1) scissors, (2) glue, (3) little square of color construction paper or tissue paper, (4) seahorse pattern https://www.template.net/design-templates/animal-templates/seahorse-shape-templates/, (5) googly eye.
Help your child to print and cut the pattern. Then, glue the color squares on the pattern and finally the eye. Here is a picture: http://tippytoecrafts.blogspot.com/2011/11/seahorse-suncatchers.html Your child could also put glue on top of the squares and shake glitter on it.
Other crafts:
Summer Seahorse Craft https://www.themailbox.com/magazines/seahorse-craft/summer-seahorse-art
Shaving Cream Marbelized Mr. Seahorse Craft http://www.momto2poshlildivas.com/2012/06/shaving-cream-marbelized-mister-sea.html
Paper plate Seahorse Craft https://www.gluedtomycraftsblog.com/2015/07/paper-plate-seahorse-kid-craft.html
Small Motor Skills
Ocean Rainbow Book https://twistynoodle.com/my-ocean-rainbow-3-minibook/
Ocean Animals Tracing Page https://www.kidsparkz.com/uploads/5/2/3/4/52340669/ocean_animals_tracing_lines.pdf
Seahorse Coloring Page https://printcolorcraft.com/2015/07/140/
Gross Motor Skills
5 Ocean Animals Yoga Poses for Kids https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIiF3uoMNWQ