Our friends in School-age 1 at RisingOaks Early Learning | John Sweeney have been so excited to partake in snow activities. The morning of our first snowfall this winter season as they all eagerly ran outside, Evelyn said to her friends Natalie and Addison, “This is the best day ever!!!” Her friends all agreed as they ran smiling and jumping into the fresh snowfall. Since the first snowfall, our friends kept asking when they could go outside to make snow angels and snow men. Over the next week, the children quickly dressed in their snow gear and excitedly headed outside earlier then usual. The children explored the snow and ice with shovels, sleds, buckets and “sand toys."
Every winter, as the temperatures drop, so does the amount of time we spend outside. This is especially true for young children— playtime can become limited to the indoors a majority of the time. Although it may be tempting to hide inside until the weather warms up, outdoor play is essential for childrens well-being all year long. Outdoor play can look much different in the winter. As playground equipment is frozen and covered with snow, children will need to use their imagination to find different ways to explore the outside world! Playing in the snow is a great way for children to develop their gross motor skills. There are endless ways to play with snow. Build snow people, snow forts, snow castles, make snow angels…the list goes on! We can’t wait to see what creations the children will make as the snow continues to fall this winter.
Alongside outdoor snow play we have been incorporating winter indoor crafts as well, to bring the snowy ideas inside too! From decorating snow men and rain deer to snowflakes for our friends to bring home. School-age 1 just loves winter time!
