Only Ioan could have a pirate day at school and decide to dress up as a fish! I told him that if he didn’t want to wear the pirate outfit in the dressing up box, he needed to make his own costume. So he did.

Resources

  • T-shirt
  • Orange paint
  • Rollers
  • Spatulas
  • Paint brushes
  • Bath puff
  • Felt
  • Felt-tip pen
  • Scissors
  • Needle
  • Cotton
  • Wadding
  • Card
  • Googly eyes

Method

Since reading The Lorax, Ioan has been interested in the Humming Fish. He decided to base his costume on that.

His first step was painting the t-shirt. Next he drew, cut out and sewed the felt. He made a simple headband out of card, with some large googly eyes and a felt-tip pen.

The final step was to try it on.

He then sang the Humming Fish song all the way to school.

He was so excited that he was the only one dressed as a fish at school, so he got to take part in all their storytelling.

DfES Early Learning Goals (2017)

Personal, social and emotional development

ELG 06 – Self-confidence and self-awareness:

Children are confident to try new activities, and say why they like some activities more than others. They are confident to speak in a familiar group, will talk about their ideas, and will choose the resources they need for their chosen activities. They say when they do or don’t need help.

ELG 07 – Managing feelings and behaviour:

Children talk about how they and others show feelings, talk about their own and others’ behaviour, and its consequences, and know that some behaviour is unacceptable. They work as part of a group or class, and understand and follow the rules. They adjust their behaviour to different situations, and take changes of routine in their stride.

Expressive arts and design

ELG 16 – Exploring and using media and materials:

Children safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function.

ELG 17 – Being imaginative:

Children use what they have learnt about media and materials in original ways, thinking about uses and purposes. They represent their own ideas, thoughts and feelings through design and technology, art, music, dance, role-play and stories.