Family Partnerships
to strengthen parents as their child’s first teacher
The Indian River Lagoon
There are opportunities to talk to your child everywhere.
The Basics principles are five, fun, simple, powerful ways to help children make the most of their earliest years. Here are some suggestions for your visit to the Lagoon.
What marine animal families might live under the water?
Are there fish families?
A big manatee?
Playful dolphins?
Families show love
in different ways.
Every family, even creatures that live in the Lagoon, has its own special way to show love. How does a fish kiss?
How does a manatee hug?
Give your child a big marine animal hug and kiss!
Let’s use our eyes to explore!
Look up at the sky.
Do you see any clouds today?
Are they big or small?
Point to the clouds, and then point to the bright sun.
Now, let’s look down.
Can you see anything in the lagoon?
Sing the “Indian River Lullaby” together and point to all the things around you as they are mentioned in the song.
The Lagoon is filled with lots of things.
Let’s explore together.
Do you see any boats?
Count all the boats you see out there.
What color are the boats?
Which one is the biggest?
Where do you think the boats are going?
Do you see any birds?
Are they flying way up high or down low over the water?
Let’s fly like a bird! Stand up and pretend your arms are giant wings.
Flap, swoop, and glide like the birds you see flying over the lagoon!
Let’s make up a story about one of the animals that lives in the Lagoon. Ask your child to name the main character. Then, invite them to help you decide what happens next during your animal’s adventure.
MAXIMIZE LOVE, MANAGE STRESS
What marine animal families might live under the water? Are there fish families? A big manatee? Playful dolphins? Families show love in different ways. Every family, even creatures that live in the Lagoon, has its own special way to show love. How does a fish kiss? How does a manatee hug? Give your child a big marine animal hug and kiss!
TALK, SING, and POINT
Let's use our eyes to explore! Look up at the sky. Do you see any clouds today? Are they big or small? Point to the clouds, and then point to the bright sun. Now, let's look down. Can you see anything in the lagoon? Sing the "Indian River Lullaby" together and point to all the things around you as they are mentioned in the song.
COUNT, GROUP, and COMPARE
The Lagoon is filled with lots of things. Let's explore together. Do you see any boats? Count all the boats you see out there. What color are the boats? Which one is the biggest? Where do you think the boats are going?
EXPLORE THROUGH MOVEMENT
and PLAY
Do you see any birds? Are they flying way up high or down low over the water? Let's fly like a bird! Stand up and pretend your arms are giant wings. Flap, swoop, and glide like the birds you see flying over the lagoon!
READ and DISCUSS STORIES
Let's make up a story about one of the animals that lives in the Lagoon. Ask your child to name the main character. Then, invite them to help you decide what happens next during your animal's adventure.
