We have taken advantage of the recent snowfall this new year by playing and exploring with some new winter activities, including sledding. These experiences have allowed for the toddlers to work at strengthening their core muscles, body agility and fine motor skills as they learn to move their bodies in the snow and on the ice with their full winter gear on. Using their large muscles and coordination they have been attempting to walk up the slippery snow-covered hill, while pulling their sleds behind them. Then once at the top, an educator has been helping and guiding them to turn their sleds around and position it, facing in the direction of the hill once again. Taking turns and then with a 1, 2, 3, countdown and a slight gentle push, the toddlers then make their way down the hill until they reach the bottom. Sometimes their facial expressions are a combination of uncertainty, excitement, happiness and then giggles. Once the cheering, laughter and “hoorays!” have subsided, another educator who is waiting at the bottom of the hill, encourages the toddlers to “roll over” off of their sled so that they can use their hands, arms and legs to pull themselves up off of the ground. “Roll over, roll over!” Reid, Lainey, Eva, Clara and Dominic repeat what the educators are saying excitedly as the educator assists them. Then it’s time to reach for our rope that has a yellow handle attached to the sled. With our mitten covered hands, this step may be a bit challenging for some of our toddlers but often after a couple of attempts they succeed in securing the handle or rope. Other friends prefer to grab onto their sled with both their hands, and carry it up the hill that way as well. The educators have been suggesting that tucking the handle or rope under their arms, is an easier method at pulling the sled safely behind them. There have been many occasions where the rope has slipped out from the toddler’s grasp, but the educators are there to help pull the sled up for them as well. It has taken lots of practice and persistence on our toddler’s part, but they have been doing really well at working on their self-help skills and determination. The sense of pride that they show in their smiles and the way they stand so proudly once they have reached the top of the hill says it all! Hooray we did! Let’s do it again! The educators cheer.
