The recent large amounts of snow has given the toddlers a great opportunity for some new gross motor fun and exploration.
Upon going for our outdoor time, the children paused at the doorway appearing unsure of the white covering the ground on the playground. They were also unsure as to how to maneuver their way through the snow drifts.
Educator Ruth began using the large shovel making a pathway around the playground. Sash, Harlow, Summer and Liam all requested shovels and began following Ruth around with their shovels imitating her actions.
Some of the children preferred sitting on the sleds having Gerri and Jhon pulling them, while others began discovering their own way exploring the snow-covered playground.
Anvi, Summer and Harlow watched as Gerri fell back in the snow encouraging them saying “Let's make snow angels.” They then smiled and imitated by falling back into the soft snow smiling, also saying, “Snow angels.” They then all got up looking at the outline this fall had left behind in the snow.
Many of the children soon became comfortable and more confident, and left the shoveled pathway to trudge through the deeper snow. Danny just rolled and laughed each time he tried to walk with the softness of the snow, making it more challenging to get around.
The raised area of the playground created the perfect small hill for sledding with many of the toddlers waiting for their turn to ride down.
The benefits of outdoor play, even in the snow and cold, are numerous and important for many areas of children's learning.
Gross motor skills and problem-solving skills are used to just move around in the uneven snow on the playground. Problem solving skills are used to make their way back up the hill learning that the smallest part of the hill was the easiest way to get back up again, and are also used trying to maneuver the shovels while wearing their mittens.
Balance and coordination are developed just by walking on the unevenness of the snow.
Taking small risks like learning how to make their way through different snow conditions helps them assess risks and build their confidence while participating in fun activities.
Snow is a sensory activity in many different ways such as sight taste and touch.
We wonder what other learning opportunities the snow will bring for our toddler group.
