Invitation to Explore the Ocean's Darkest Depths

When scientists studied the oceans long ago, they divided them into five major layers (Trench, Abyss, Midnight, Twilight, and Sunlight) Since each layer, or zone, has unique characteristics, as well as unique characters who live there. We took a deep dive into learning about the wildlife in deeper zones that are darker and more mysterious. 

To set this invitation we placed aquarium rocks + seaweed , deep sea creatures hatchet fish, angler fish, viperfish, glass squid, giant isopod, gulper eel, and black dragonfish, squid)glow in the dark rocks + sea anemones, rocks, coral, & water mixed with Colorations Fluorescent Turquoise paint. We also watched videos from divers exploring the deep sea as well as looking at the layers of the oceans + the wild life that lives there in the two books Layer by Layer Under the Sea by  Anne Rooney  (Author), Suzanne Carpenter  (Illustrator) & The Deep! Wild Life @ The Ocean's Darkest Depths by Lindsey Leigh. 

Bringing the deeper ocean zones to life through this Small world sensory play offers numerous benefits for children. Through exploring & role playing this set up enhances cognitive skills (understanding the world, problem solving, creativity & imagination), language (vocabulary expansion, narrative skills, communication),  emotional (emotional regulation, building empathy) ,& social development (social skills, conflict resolution, cooperative play),  motor skills( fine & gross)  all through engaging environment for them to explore. All this active hands-on learning helps children at their level retain new and more complex information, continue to build skills, and continue to make them curious to learn about the wondrous world we live in.  

Here is another way to explore the zones of the ocean.