With the colder weather has come the opportunity for new outdoor exploration. Our playground has recently been covered in snow and the toddlers have loved engaging in all the opportunities that come with it. One of their favourite things to do is go sledding.
In our playground, we have a small track and hill where they can sled. With two toddlers on a sled, educators will pull them around as they take in the scenery. While this may seem like a passive activity, it helps the toddlers build important skills. They need to learn how to share a sled with a peer without upsetting them or getting in their space. The toddlers also need to balance their bodies in the sled. When the sled is turning, or goes down a hill, the toddlers need to lean their bodies so they do not tip out of the sled. This took some practice for some of the children, but they were quick to get back in the sled and try again if they tipped out.
Another thing that we have seen is the toddlers taking a leadership role with their peers. We usually have more sleds than can be pulled by the educators at one time. This means that there are usually children sitting in sleds waiting for their turn. Some of our older children have been great at helping out during these times. They will get out of the sled they are waiting in and attempt to pull their friends around. The children will hook their arms through the rope and pull with all their might to move the sled. Even though the sled is too heavy for them to move sometimes, the children show persistence and keep trying to pull their friends through the snow. These efforts are much appreciated by their peers in the sled as can be seen by the smile on their faces.
As the snow continues to fall we can’t wait to see what other ways the children will explore it and how they will continue to develop their skills through sledding.
