It‘s Shark Week at Pretend City! Join us for a fintastic week filled with jaw-dropping activities, fascinating facts, and interactive experiences that will leave you in awe of these magnificent creatures. 

Art (all day):  

Exploration No. 1> Egg carton sharks

Exploration No. 2> Warm and cool colors!

Exploration No. 3 (Sensory Table)> Blue water with sea creatures in ice cubes.

Purpose: Learn about warm & cool colors through neon oil pastel fish and cool watercolor waters, and explore different mediums and art techniques. Learn sequencing and fine motor skills. 

Wednesday, July 19th  

Water Safety (TIMES: 11 am)  

Join Goldfish Swim School’s interactive water safety experience that’s great for anyone between the ages of three and seven and focuses on teaching: 

– The concept and the importance of water safety for kids 

– How to avoid potential dangers in and around the water 

– Different ways to handle water crisis situations 

– Water safety techniques 

Play Partner: We’re Goldfish Swim School Aliso Viejo, Where Learning is Fun for Everyone! We are a local swim school that strives to build children’s knowledge of water safety in and out of the pool and build their confidence and endurance to maintain a healthy lifestyle. We offer swim classes and other programs for children 4 months to 12 years of age. Our developmentally appropriate curriculum offers top-quality swim lessons coupled with an experience you can’t get anywhere else! Being comfortable and confident in the water is of the utmost importance to us, and we know it is to you as well. Our mission is to teach all children how to be water safe and provide them with this wonderful life-saving skill! You can check us out through our Website or even on our Fin-tatsic Facebook and Instagram!  

Music & Movement (TIMES: 2:30 PM): 

Story Time (2:30 pm): The Misunderstood Shark by: Ame Dyckman  

Synopsis: Every beachgoer knows that there’s nothing more terrifying than a… SHARRRK!

About the Play Partner: OCFA, Jill Cole, Educator from OCFA is coming to engage in a story time 

 

Thursday, July 20th  

Sensational Storytime (11 am and 2:30 PM): Misunderstood Shark by: Ame Dychkman 

Synopsis: Every beachgoer knows that there’s nothing more terrifying than a SHARK! But this shark is just misunderstood, he doesn’t mean to scare people! Come along on this adventure with sharks to see things through their eyes! 

 Math/Science (11 am and 2:30 pm): Who’s that Shark? Engage with us in a shark guessing game! We will give you shark silhouettes and you will guess that shark! 

 

Friday, July 21st  

Shark Shack with CSULB (TIMES: 10 am-12:30 pm & 1:30 pm-4 pm)  

Synopsis: The CSULB Shark Lab presents the “Shark Shack”: An informational booth provided to help build an appreciation for sharks by reducing fear and informing the public about sharks and other marine life they may encounter at the beach. Learn more about shark biology, shark technology our lab uses to track sharks, and information on beach safety! 

About the Play Partner: The CSULB Shark Lab was established in 1966 by Dr. Don Nelson, researching sensory biology and shark behavior. In 1998, Dr. Chris Lowe was established as the new lab director after getting his PhD at the University of Hawaii and MS at CSULB working under Dr. Nelson. Over the last decade, Dr. Lowe and his students have been studying elasmobranchs, including baby and juvenile white sharks in Southern California and continue to contribute greatly to this field of research. Recently, the lab team has also focused on the development of underwater robots and technology for autonomously tracking sharks and gamefish. The mission of Shark Lab is to study the physiological and behavioral ecology of marine animals, emphasizing the effect of human activity on the ocean; to utilize and develop innovative technology to answer challenging questions important for the conservation and restoration of depleted populations, and to train the next generation of marine biologists.  

Free Comic Books for Families: Beach Safety Comic Book Program – Shark Lab | California State University Long Beach (csulb.edu) 

 

Saturday, July 22nd  

Sensational Storytime (TIMES: 11 am): Shark Lady by: Jess Keating  

Synopsis: Eugenie fell in love with sharks from the moment she saw them at the aquarium and she couldn’t imagine anything more exciting than studying these graceful creatures. Eugenie dedicates her life to exploring and learning about sharks and has countless discoveries! Follow Eugenie along as she shares her love for sharks! 

Water Safety (TIMES: 11 am)  Join Goldfish Swim School’s interactive water safety experience that’s great for anyone between the ages of three and seven and focuses on teaching: 

– The concept and the importance of water safety for kids 

– How to avoid potential dangers in and around the water 

– Different ways to handle water crisis situations 

– Water safety techniques 

Play Partner: Goldfish Swim School believes that everyone should learn and understand the basics of water safety. So we are bringing our special W.A.T.E.R. safety presentation for kids everywhere to enjoy. 

About the Play Partner: We’re Goldfish Swim School Aliso Viejo, Where Learning is Fun for Everyone! We are a local swim school that strives to build children’s knowledge of water safety in and out of the pool and build their confidence and endurance to maintain a healthy lifestyle. We offer swim classes and other programs for children 4 months to 12 years of age. Our developmentally appropriate curriculum offers top-quality swim lessons coupled with an experience you can’t get anywhere else! Being comfortable and confident in the water is of the utmost importance to us, and we know it is to you as well. Our mission is to teach all children how to be water safe and provide them with this wonderful life-saving skill! You can check us out through our Website or even on our Fin-tatsic Facebook and Instagram!   

 

 Sunday, July 23rd  

Shark Shack with CSULB (TIMES: 10 am-12:30 pm & 1:30 pm-4 pm)  

Synopsis: The CSULB Shark Lab presents the “Shark Shack”: An informational booth provided to help build an appreciation for sharks by reducing fear and informing the public about sharks and other marine life they may encounter at the beach. Learn more about shark biology, shark technology our lab uses to track sharks, and information on beach safety! 

About the Play Partner: The CSULB Shark Lab was established in 1966 by Dr. Don Nelson, researching sensory biology and shark behavior. In 1998, Dr. Chris Lowe was established as the new lab director after getting his PhD at the University of Hawaii and MS at CSULB working under Dr. Nelson. Over the last decade, Dr. Lowe and his students have been studying elasmobranchs, including baby and juvenile white sharks in Southern California and continue to contribute greatly to this field of research. Recently, the lab team has also focused on the development of underwater robots and technology for autonomously tracking sharks and gamefish. The mission of Shark Lab is to study the physiological and behavioral ecology of marine animals, emphasizing the effect of human activity on the ocean; to utilize and develop innovative technology to answer challenging questions important for the conservation and restoration of depleted populations, and to train the next generation of marine biologists.  

 Free Comic Books for Families: Beach Safety Comic Book Program – Shark Lab | California State University Long Beach (csulb.edu) 

 Purpose: The purpose of these songs is to allow children to learn more about our oceans through music and movement! These songs engage children in expanding their language and literacy development, gross motor movements, listening skills, intellectual development and supports the body and the mind working cohesively!