At RisingOaks Early Learning| St. Nicholas, the toddlers were consistently curious about the natural environment and actively engaged in a variety of outdoor activities that involves movement, creativity, exploration, and imaginative play. They showed their curiosity, and excitement as they explored the environment and socialized with their peers. Harlow and Liam kept asking the educators to go on a walk. On one of our nature walks, they listened to the birds chirping and rustling leaves blown by the wind. They demonstrated a strong interest to explore and discover things using their imagination. As we passed by the fallen logs, Harlow excitedly said, “It’s an alligator.” This sparked their imagination and they ran around the logs while talking about the alligator that they discovered. It appeared that they were curious and full of wonders as they observed the logs closely. On our way back to the school, they discovered a campfire that became part of their imaginative play. Hudson excitedly said to other children, “Come,” as they gathered around it, sat together, and created their own outdoor camping experience.
Furthermore, inside the room, the toddlers consistently showed interest in painting experiences. To extend their interest, the educators provided a new environment for painting exploration. On the playground, Sashwath said, “I want to paint,” when he saw the painting materials. The toddlers appeared to enjoy painting on a big cardboard with a variety of painting materials with different textures, encouraging them to explore through their senses. This activity helped them explore different materials, experiment with colours and textures, and display their creativity.
Another interest that toddlers showed was playing with musical instrument inside the classroom which they brought into the outdoor environment. The educators extended this experience by bringing out the metal drums and tools that they can use and explore. Some of the children created sound by using their hands and various sticks to tap on the drums and listened closely to the sounds they produced. This supported their self-expression in a joyful and meaningful way.
Another play experience that captured children’s interest is chasing bubbles. To extend this experience outside, the educators provided them with bubble solution and wands for them explore independently. They dipped the wands into the solution and attempted to blow bubbles. Some toddlers were still learning how to blow bubbles and practice their hand-eye coordination while displaying focus and concentration.
The sandbox kitchen is one of the places where the toddlers enjoyed their pretend play experience. Xavi played the role of cooking in the kitchen by scooping and mixing sand in the pan, others patiently watched him. When the educator asked what were they doing, Sash replied, “Buy food.” Later, Sash and Mattea moved to the other side and began scooping sand, poured it on the pan and excitedly said, “Look, cake,” and they then pretended to blow the candle on the top. Social-emotional development was promoted in this experience as they practiced sharing, patience, and cooperation. The children also used their imagination, and the opportunity allowed them to develop communication skills with each other.
The toddlers were also excited when they saw the large LEGO blocks on the playground, especially since they enjoyed building with LEGO inside the classroom. Their interest carried naturally into the outdoor environment that made them explore in a new way. Sash, Mattea, Josiah, Daniel and others were working together in stacking the LEGO blocks, and they all said to the educator, “Build tower,” while pointing on what they made. When Josiah smashed the tower down, they all laughed and worked together again to build the tower. They tried various ways of connecting and stacking the blocks, showing creativity and problem-solving skills.
Gross motor play in outdoor environment helped the toddlers in their physical development. The educators provided them with different kind of balls to play with. They enjoyed playing with it and learned how to throw, roll, kick, and chase them. Such activities helped improve their gross motor skills and coordination.
The toddlers had many meaningful experiences in the outdoor environment this month. They explored, learned, discovered and engaged with their surroundings in various ways which helped them build confidence and independence, which the educators continue to nurture and encourage.
