Wawanesa Wee Care Inc. |
Come along on our pedagogical jouney with us....
The first visit was all about physicality, big body play and risk! We talked about the vestibular sense (knowing where our body is in space, allows us to keep our balance, and organizing sensory input), and the proprioceptive sense (tells us about movement and body position, receptors in muscles, joints and ligaments, keeps us from being clumsy and uncoordinated, tells us what body parts to use and how i.e. lifting). This was a huge a-ha for us, now putting together that children NEED to push, lean, tip their chair, spin etc. All of those things that adults usually stop! These are all necessary movements children need to develop! This was a game changer in our programs. NO running inside changed to, allowing it safely, as long as children aren't grabbing each other or hurting themselves or each other. It meant climbing was a need we could meet! It caused us to really look at our spaces and see what areas encouraged physical movement. We brought in climbers, stools, mini trampolines, balance beams...things we had often reserved for outside! Of course, there are still rules. We don't think it is ok to climb everything, and we don't want children going home climbing on the table...if that is not ok at home. But what we do want, is for children to know how to climb, and you can't learn how unless you get to practice!
We taught children how to jump off of things (if you are going to jump, you need to put your toes over the edge and make sure there is no one in the way!) Our one year olds began this practice, and had it down pat! They could move a soft surface to the base of the shelf they were allowed to climb, and would shimmy to the edge, put their toes over and jump! It was amazing to watch! We talked a lot about feeling safe, and that it is ok if you don't want to try, but it is also ok to try and fail! We made sure children knew that everyone is good at something, but no one is good at everything, and to be good at something you have to try and practice. We encourage children to listen to the feeling in their stomach. If you are climbing a tree and get that feeling, it likely means your body is telling you to stop or it's not safe.
We taught children how to jump off of things (if you are going to jump, you need to put your toes over the edge and make sure there is no one in the way!) Our one year olds began this practice, and had it down pat! They could move a soft surface to the base of the shelf they were allowed to climb, and would shimmy to the edge, put their toes over and jump! It was amazing to watch! We talked a lot about feeling safe, and that it is ok if you don't want to try, but it is also ok to try and fail! We made sure children knew that everyone is good at something, but no one is good at everything, and to be good at something you have to try and practice. We encourage children to listen to the feeling in their stomach. If you are climbing a tree and get that feeling, it likely means your body is telling you to stop or it's not safe.