Supporting Curiosity, Vocabulary and Discovery in EYFS

The Under the Sea theme is one of the most engaging topics for Early Years children. The ocean is full of fascinating creatures, mysterious environments and exciting stories that naturally spark curiosity and imagination.

Taking this theme outdoors allows children to explore the idea of oceans, sea creatures and marine environments through movement, role play, investigation and sensory experiences. Outdoor learning also encourages children to explore concepts in a more physical and playful way, which is ideal for Early Years development.

Below we explore the key learning concepts, areas of learning and vocabulary development opportunities when teaching an Under the Sea topic in EYFS.

Key Learning Concepts in an Under the Sea Theme

Early Years learning is about building understanding through play, exploration and language. An Under the Sea topic allows children to explore several key concepts.

Habitats and Environments

Children begin to understand that animals live in different environments. When learning about the ocean, children explore the idea that sea creatures live underwater in the ocean and that their habitat is different from animals that live on land.

Through outdoor play, children can create underwater worlds using sand, water and loose parts, helping them visualise where sea creatures might live.

Living Things

The Under the Sea theme introduces children to a wide range of living things such as fish, turtles, crabs and dolphins. This supports early understanding that animals have different features and ways of living.

Children can begin to recognise that some animals swim, some crawl along the ocean floor and some live near coral reefs.

Water and Movement

Water is an exciting sensory element for Early Years children. Exploring how water moves, flows and splashes helps children understand simple scientific ideas.

Outdoor water play linked to oceans allows children to experiment with:

• floating and sinking
• waves and movement
• pouring and transferring water

These experiences help develop curiosity and early investigation skills.

Exploration and Discovery

The ocean is often described as mysterious and full of discoveries. Children can imagine themselves as ocean explorers, divers or marine scientists searching for sea creatures or treasure.

Treasure hunts, sand exploration and role play activities encourage children to investigate their environment and ask questions.

Areas of Learning Linked to Under the Sea

An Under the Sea topic can support many areas of the EYFS curriculum.

Communication and Language

The theme encourages rich storytelling and conversation.

Children can describe sea creatures, invent underwater adventures and talk about what they discover in sand or water play areas. Adults can model language and ask open-ended questions such as:

• What creature did you find?
• Where might it live in the ocean?
• How does it move?

These discussions help develop vocabulary and confidence in speaking.

Physical Development

Outdoor Under the Sea activities naturally encourage movement.

Children might:

• move like sea creatures
• jump between “islands”
• crawl like crabs
• swim like dolphins

These activities support coordination, balance and body control.

Mathematics

The ocean theme offers many opportunities for early maths learning.

Children can:

• count shells or pebbles
• sort sea creatures by size or colour
• create patterns using shells and natural materials
• compare quantities of underwater “treasure”

These playful activities help children develop number sense and problem-solving skills.

Understanding the World

Learning about the ocean helps children begin to understand the natural world.

Children explore ideas such as:

• where animals live
• what sea creatures look like
• how water environments are different from land

Simple investigations such as floating and sinking also introduce early science skills.

Expressive Arts and Design

The Under the Sea theme is rich with creative possibilities.

Children can:

• build coral reefs with loose parts
• create sea creature sculptures using clay
• make underwater scenes with natural materials
• role play as divers or ocean explorers

Creative expression allows children to communicate their ideas and imagination.

Key Vocabulary for an Under the Sea Topic

One of the most powerful aspects of this theme is the development of new vocabulary.

Children can be introduced to simple but meaningful words connected to oceans and sea life.

Sea Creature Vocabulary

Children may learn the names of different animals such as:

• fish
• crab
• turtle
• octopus
• starfish
• dolphin
• jellyfish
• shark

These words help children describe the creatures they discover in their play.

Ocean Environment Vocabulary

Children can begin to understand words that describe the ocean environment, such as:

• ocean
• sea
• waves
• sand
• coral
• reef
• underwater

Using these words during play helps children build a clearer picture of ocean habitats.

Movement Vocabulary

Movement is a big part of this theme, so children can practise words such as:

• swim
• dive
• splash
• float
• sink
• crawl

These words can be reinforced through physical play and role play activities.

Why the Under the Sea Theme Works So Well Outdoors

Outdoor learning environments provide space for children to explore the ocean theme in imaginative ways.

Using sand, water, loose parts and natural materials, children can build underwater worlds, search for treasure, create coral reefs and investigate sea creatures.

The theme combines sensory play, movement, creativity and storytelling, which are all essential elements of Early Years learning.