Let Them Go Up!

Have you been on the playgrounds recently?  If you have, I'm sure that teachers are telling children, "We go DOWN the slide, feet first, sitting on our bottoms, one at a time!" Why?

Let children explore and discover.  Let them go up! The teacher's job is to supervisor and ensure that the children are safe.  Safe, not wrapped in plastic bubble wrap.

Here are a few reasons to give children the choice to climb up:

• Climbing up the slide strengthens the arms, legs, and trunk.  Those hamstrings will work hard! It really works those core muscles too!
• Alternating arms to climb up improves reciprocal movement.
• Proprioceptive input!  The sensation of heavy work improves body awareness.  They have a better sense of what they can do and what they need to develop.
• Critical thinking skills are developed.
• They learn to take risks!  Children learn how to use their bodies and interact with the physical environment by experimenting and taking risks.
• They develop social skills with peers such as turn taking and cooperation.
• It’s fun!

It is often our adult fears that stop children from exploring freely.  Children learn a lot from taking risks.  Be there for support and supervision, but let them go up!