At RisingOaks Early Learning | St. Nicholas, it’s been a month and half since we welcomed our new toddler children and families to our program. As we observed the children, we’ve been hearing new words from our young learners as well as new skills leading to social development and exploring their new environment with their peers and trying something new. One particular day, the toddlers appeared to be seeking sensory play, as they would point to our curriculum shed looking for sand toys.The educators would ask the children what they would like taken out, the toddlers would try to communicate verbally and through pointing to ask for cups and bowls, Hudson, Harlow and Summer would pick up sand using a scooper. After a while of scooping they would walk over to the after ramp, and would sit on top of the water ramp and push down on the handle turning on the water and making it go down, the toddlers appeared to enjoy mixing water and sand creating mud. This rich sensory experience became a catalyst for imaginative play and social interaction. Some toddlers even invited our college students into their play, showing early signs of collaboration and shared engagement. About a month later, we noticed a gradual shift in the toddlers’ interests. While the sand area remained a place of comfort, a group began exploring other parts of the natural playground, particularly areas that invited risky play and challenged their gross motor skills, such as the logs. Anvi and Sashwath were our first two toddlers to explore the logs and climb up and seek educators to support them while they jumped. This allowed other toddlers to feel comfortable and opened the doors for other peers to explore risky play. A small group would climb up and try to jump together. We reminded the toddlers that it was a good idea to jump safely one by one. Anvi, made her way towards the natural climber, she would sit at the bottom of the climber which has a log, then make her way towards the larger climber. This also encouraged other toddlers to give it a try. Many children would seek the larger climber and would try to climb it by themselves before they would ask for help when they needed support. The following day brought another shift as the toddlers became fascinated with bikes. Willie, Danny and Sashwath appeared to be determined to use their pedals and try pedaling. Willie and Danny would sit and shuffle their bottoms closer to the handle and stretch their legs and reach for the pedals, Danny quickly realized the bike was big for him and started seeking for a small bike, demonstrating problem solving skills. He found one and positioned his body to make him feel comfortable, once again he extended his legs and realizing his feet touched the pedals, he attempted pedaling. Educator Ruth observed from afar and tried to help, offering to push his bike. This collaboration allowed him to start pedaling and maneuver his bike, until he was fully in control. These moments tell a powerful story about our toddlers’ developmental progress. In social development, they are taking a social interest as many are engaging in short group activities as well as observing and starting to engage in games such as “follow the peer.” Looking at emotional development, many of the children are setting their own goals and are very persistent on achieving it, as well as making their own choices about what feels okay and what doesn’t. Lastly, with physical development they are using their fine motor skills to grasp items the need for their engagement in play, as well as their gross motor skills while they continue jumping from short heights. Climbing and riding toys support the use of their body to maneuver around the environment, and gain new skills such as pedaling with their feet. Many of our young toddlers have been seeking risky play, which has allowed them to explore their surroundings with greater confidence, and partake in risky play. We will continue to provide our toddlers with more activities that allow them to engage in gross motor activities that will continue to support these interests and skills.
