This month School-age 2 has continued to love this snowy and winter weather! They have been taking every opportunity to work together as a team to either build a fort, pull each other on a sled, or to help one another to lift and transfer snow boulders. During these moments, the children take their time to learn and explore everything that is around them outside. Whether they find a cool new stick that can be used as a tool to help get some of the snow boulders out, or discovering a great big hole in the ground filled with so much ice and water to see what else is inside. Let’s see what fun adventure awaits!
During outdoor play some of the girls got right into building a snow fort by trying to collect as many big boulders they could find. They started by creating a base by finding the bigger boulders first beside a tree. They one-by-one called each other over for help if they needed to get a big boulder out. “1...2...3... lift!” Kaitlyn said. The children lifted with their knees and was able to get the sow boulder where they wanted it to go. But wait, its not done yet. They needed to be able to have a big table for all of them to sit around so therefore they needed to get another big boulder. Grace found the perfect one that they could use for their table. She tried to push it by herself first but then realized she needed help. Grace shouted, “Team I need your help!”. Everybody rushed over and began to push the boulder as hard as they could. They appeared to still be having a hard time moving the boulder. Grace asked, “Sarah can you please help us lift this boulder?”. Sarah then replied “Only if you guys help me. Okay everyone on the count of 3. 1…2…3… lift.” Just like that we all were able to successfully move the boulder to their fort. This enhanced their communication, cooperation, and problem-solving skills by being able to work together, express themselves, and by making their own decisions. This also allowed them to develop a sense of leadership by fostering empathy towards one another and gross motor skills.
