In the before and after school programs, children can go outside for about an hour in the morning and afternoon. This time can be reduced during the winter, and it can be expanded during the spring/summer. Children love to stay outside: running, riding bikes, excavating in the sandbox, and going down the slide. Therefore, during the warm spring days, they ask the educators to spend more time outside or the whole time.
However, what happens when it is raining? Well, during those days, we need to find activities that will be fun and engaging. Those with lots of energy and who want to spend it on the carpet use the river stones to jump around. When we have the rocks, James F, Lucas and Catherine always jump around, saying to each other, "Look how high I jumped," or making competitions to discover who is the fastest to jump all the stones. Children can also dance, choosing KidzBop songs, and showing their moves.
We have an art table for those who are more artistic. Lately, James M, who has always loved to draw, has asked others to create a drawing contest. The ones who usually participate in the competition are James M, James F, Lucas, and Catherine. All of them choose an object, drew it, and then vote on the ones they like the most. Ultimately, they do not even care who wins as they have so much fun and laughter during the process.
For those who like more calming activities, as we have lots of beads, children can sort them by colours, shapes and sizes. Braya and Dami can spend hours doing it, concentrating so much on the activity that they do not even talk, just focusing on the beads. Also, when the carpet is available, children can take puzzles there. One of those rainy days, Lucas and Dami started making one, and then they asked the educator for more, when they realized, four puzzles were on the carpet, one of them had one hundred pieces.
As we continue to explore different activities, we are also fostering the development of various skills. The dance and the river stones on the carpet promote gross motor skills development, as well as balance, boundaries on risky play, and confidence. The drawing contest supports developing fine motor skills, positive relationships, and building friendships. Sorting and puzzles help with math concepts, cognitive development, and fine motor skills. The next two concepts to be explored are science and math, and we are excited to see how these activities will further enhance our children's learning journey.
