Throughout December the school age one group has shown a growing fascination with the winter season.
As the day
days have grown colder, the children eagerly welcomed the opportunity to engage in outdoor play, exploring the changes that winter brings. From shoveling snow to making snow angels, and even dramatizing the role of Santa, the children’s curiosity and creativity have been growing as we explored the activities of winter.
One of the most notable moments during this time was when the children discovered the fun in shoveling snow. They were drawn to the piles of fresh snow that were on the playground, so they worked toget
her, using shovels to clear paths and build piles. Through this activity they built teamwork, physical activity, and the sense of accomplishment they felt as thy moved the snow around. As they shoveled, they chatted excitedly, discussing the feeling of snow, how it felt on their gloves, and how much they had already cleared. Through this activity, the children learned about cause and effect as well as perseverance, all while enjoying the winter weather.
In addition to shoveling, the children discovered making snow angels. They enjoyed laying down in the snow, and using their arms and legs to create snow angels. This activity not only allowed them to connect with nature but also encouraged them to appreciate the feeling of snow and explore gross motor body movement in a fun and interactive way.
The winter season also sparked an interest in the holiday of Christmas. Together, the children began drawing pictures of snowmen, Christmas trees, and reindeer. The children’s imagination also flourished as they began to engage in dramatic play, pretending to be Santa Claus. With a few simple props, such as red and white paper, and band-aid’s for beards, they transformed into Santa’s. They even began to role-play Christmas traditions, discussing how Santa travels the world in a sleigh. This pretend play provided opportunities for the children to practice empathy, social skills, and understanding of cultural traditions. Their creativity in adopting these roles allowed them to make sense of the world around them in an imaginative way.
Through these activities – shoveling snow, making snow angels, pretending to be Santa Claus, and celebrating Christmas – the children have been learning about winter and also deepened their understanding of the world. The festivities of the winter season has become a diving board for their creativity, while the activities themselves provided valuable lessons in collaboration, problem-solving, and imaginative thinking.
As we continue through the winter season, the children will be encouraged to further explore all of the wonderful things winter has to offer. Some of the children have been questioning, why does snow fall and why does snow melt? Additionally, the children have been enjoying the sensory aspect of the cold, soft snow in their hands. We will continue to encourage this curiosity through exploration of snow.
