As the seasons have changed and the infants have grown, we are often looking for ways to keeping them engaged and challenged. Our classroom environment often changes, to keep from boredom. On this particular day we took the opportunity to set up the classroom with a slide and a swing, providing elements of risk and challenging abilities. Teddy who is becoming more comfortable when it comes to challenging himself loves the swing and will often stand up on it to make it move. Shifting his weight from one foot to the other creating the momentum he needs. Hudson has no fear when it comes to taking risks. He moves his body up shelves, slides and even his educators like he is a monkey in the jungle. His confidence is something to be in awe of. As Isla takes risks she is also developing her coordination skills becoming a little more fluid every day. She uses her long legs to climb from the stool to the top of the shelf and then manipulates her body to go down the slide. Sierra sits at the top of the slide and works up the courage to go down on her own, after a few attempts with the help of an educator, she takes the leap and slides down. Leo and Macarius are no strangers when it comes to the swing, lying down looking up at the ceiling allowing educators or peers to push them back and forth, enjoying the soft ride. Sebby the observer, watches his peers as they flip, turn, climb, and bounce. He takes it all in before he tries it on his own. Small risks, like standing on chairs are his victories right now. Although Annika and Brayden aren’t huge in the risk-taking department on their own they do enjoy a little bit of thrill when being bounced on the swing by their peers. Taking control of their own narrative and making decision based on who is in charge. Risk taking can lead to innovation, growth, and the development of resilience and adaptability.
