The toddlers had a blast playing their own version of hockey, using snow shovels to hit balls across the playground. Matthias had fun lifting the balls into the air with the scoop of his shovel, practicing his hand-eye coordination. David worked on his foot-eye coordination as he kicked balls up hills, learning how to adjust his aim with each attempt. Dean added excitement by counting down, “1, 2, 3, go!” before swinging his shovel and sending the ball across the playground. Each child was focused on developing their own skills while enjoying the challenge of the game.
Matthias and Atlas teamed up, carefully working together to move the ball around using their shovels. Sebby added his own twist by pushing a ball through a pile of leaves, overcoming obstacles and developing problem-solving skills. The toddlers practiced sharing, taking turns, and communicating as they helped each other position the balls and shovels. They discovered that working together made the game more enjoyable and rewarding. These interactions helped them build essential social and emotional skills, such as cooperation, patience, and empathy.
The playful activity also sparked creativity, and the toddlers began trying new ways to make the game more exciting, such as adding baskets as goals. This imaginative thinking added a new challenge to their play, allowing them to further develop problem-solving and goal-setting skills. Through this simple game, the toddlers learned important lessons about teamwork, coordination, and perseverance while having fun and building lasting friendships. The experience highlighted how play can be both enjoyable and educational, helping the toddlers grow in a variety of ways.
