Do you like the cold winter months? Many will say yes and others no or vice versa. I honestly had to force myself to love accept the cold months. My Jamaican bones have acclimated, but the cold is not good for my old bones. Cabin fever is real, so to help the winter blues or boredom, I head outdoors as often as the children will allow.
Children outdoors in winter? Yes, Yes. My husband and son built this fort, and the children love playing in and around it. Below are my children building igloos. Target store is a great place for purchasing winter play accessories.
One of the most wonderful things we do during winter is head outdoors. The older children crave outdoor adventures during the arctic freeze months, but the younger ones struggle to keep their gloves, boots, hats, and all gears on – it is more challenging for little ones. However, they grow to enjoy the cold months just as I had to learn to embrace the snow over time.
These are some items we usually have handy for lots of play. The shovels are very useful for making a safe pathway for walking. Children will help if you ask for help, and very soon, they take the initiative without asking. They know that we operate in a safe environment where we avoid getting hurt as a team. A safe pathway to the snow helps the younger children get to the fluffy snow without slipping or sliding. And shoveling snow is a life skill and chore children should all learn; it helps build motor skills. Another bonus of shoveling snow is it may help the children get to the sled, which they all want to ride and weeeeeee down the hill.
I have seen how the children love to make and decorate snow people; this is usually a fun activity that needs collaboration. Working together as a team helps children make decisions, problem solve and work towards a goal. They collectively build a snowman – and most times, it is through a lot of bickering, but it gets done.
Walking a balance beam in the snow helps gross motor skills. A child is developing motor control on a slippery beam versus a dry summer beam. I have learned to allow children to take risks. I remember taking many risks as a youngster, and I also remember the lessons I got from making mistakes. At Lil Bebe Academy, I allow the children to maneuver their little bodies and advance to bigger challenges, they test their competencies, and many go on to climb the bigger stumps, not just the low balance beam. I am near the children if they need me, I try not to stifle their independence which can be hard when it’s not my own children, and I am concerned about them not getting hurt.
May your children continue to play, create and move in the winter woodlands, forts, hills, playgrounds, and backyards.
xoxo – Miss Sue
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