One Step Further

Yesterday was a very exciting day.  Several months ago the center received a grant from an agency whose mission is to improve the health and eating habits of 3 to 5 year old children.  Among the equipment that we had requested for indoor active play was an item called an "Alfresco Climber"  It is composed of a series of plastic parts, including bases, ramps, stairs, tunnels, and waves that can be put together to form a balance/beam climber.  This also can be reconfigured in a number of different ways so that the children do not become bored with repeating the same motions over and over.  It took several days for all of the twelve boxes of parts to arrive, and it was difficult waiting.  I couldn't wait to see how the children enjoyed playing on the climber.

When the time came to play on the climber, the children enjoyed it just as much as I had anticipated.  There was, however, one thing that I had not anticipated.  I had thought that the teachers would be reconfiguring the climber into a number of arrangements that the children would enjoy.  I did not realize that the four and five year old children enjoyed rearranging the parts into new designs as much as they enjoyed climbing.  Watching them work together was a joy.  They discussed what to do, made a plan, and helped each other.  "Let's move the tunnel over here."  "Turn the stairs over and make a ramp."  "Bob, grab the other end and put it in the red piece."  The words flew as fast as their arms and legs.  The children would complete their arrangement, play on it for a while, and share new ideas for the climber.  They would then get to work, sometimes changing plans in midstream, and make a new creation.

When I found the climber in a catalog, I was looking forward to getting an item that would challenge the children's muscles and sense of balance, that would give them exercise, and that would be fun.  I did accomplish that goal.  What I did not expect to do was to help the children develop social skills, language, vocabulary, physical problem solving skills, and self confidence.  As an educator, I should not have been surprised that the children took the climber an extra step.  I can't wait to see what they do tomorrow!