Building physical resilience in the Little Fish Room
This month, we wanted to challenge the children in their capabilities and provide a wider resource of equipment to facilitate this. The aim is to give the children a sense of agency with considered risk taking to negotiate play spaces safely, while building their confidence and resilience.
Gross Motor for Toddlers
In the room
- A gradient flat beam to encourage climbing (muscle strengthening)
Verandah play
- Raised stepping stones (confidence building, co-ordination and refining balance).
- The roller coaster and bike riding ( co-ordination, balance, big muscle development)
- Ball skills (hand-eye co-ordination)
Gross Motor for Babies
- Tummy Time (promotes neck strengthening and crawling)
- Pushing Activity walkers ( muscle endurance, confidence building to promote walking)
Big Yard Play
The children just love big yard play.
The larger apparatus’s offer opportunity for the children to engage in increasingly complex sensory-motor skills and movement patterns.
The ladder bridge comprised of steel rungs was positioned in the sand pit at a slight incline, out onto the grass. No challenge was too difficult as most of the children walked across the ladder bridge while holding on confidently and balancing on each rung.
Some younger children needing some assistance.
All children attempted it more than once, with the children feeling a sense of accomplishment and competence as their confidence grew in their body movements.
The younger children orientated themselves through the outdoor environment confidently and safely, playing in the sand pit and exploring the different textures, sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors.
Our Aim
We aim to help the children grow their self-identity, self-esteem and confidence to foster resilience within themselves.
To make emotional connections with the children to help build trust.
Provide the children the opportunity to explore their environment, while being ready to respond if they need us.
And finally, to role model a growth mindset by giving gentle encouragement to try new things and face challenges.
Building Physical & Emotional Resilience in Your Child
- Create healthy eating habits and a routine for sleep;
- Visit parks for exploration play, physical exercise, social skills and fresh air;
- Guide your child to manage their big emotions ( see blog post –‘Mindful Kids’ Resilience Program – Bright Kids Early Learning Centre (brightkidscentre.com.au)
- Encourage independence and self-help skills (such as walking into the Centre and feeding themselves);
- Role model your own actions to enhance the self-esteem, self-reliance and resilience of your child;
- Engage with your child in ways that promote trust and active participation; and
- Promote a supportive and challenging environment.
That’s all from Miss Rachel, Miss Sabrina and the Little Fish (Jalumms)
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