We are fortunate to have some lovely trees at our preschool that are perfect for climbing. This one featured here, would have to be the children’s favorite. It’s branches temptingly sing out, “Come and climb me!” It has a branch that is perfect for standing on, sometimes up to three children at a time, and a second branch over head that is perfect for grasping and swinging from like a monkey!
Children come to us with varying skill levels and natural talent, from the extremely agile…
To the not so agile, but very determined!
This little man is with us for his second year of preschool. Last year, climbing to this branch was just a dream. But he never gave up trying, and today he succeeded. You can’t see his face, but trust me, he was beaming!
This little girl made it so far. She displayed a mixture of anxiety and pride as she clung to the branch. As she paused for a while, she commented to me, “I’m a bit scared to stand up there”. As I sat on the decking below, I explained to her that it was okay to feel a little scared and that she didn’t have to do anything that she didn’t feel confident about doing. I said to her, maybe one day she might feel brave enough to give it a go.
This situation reminded me of how often we have to make quick assessments of situations. In this case, I could have ‘scaffolded’ her learning and talked her through the process, but I made the assessment that I didn’t think she was ready for it at that particular point in time.
How wrong was I!
A little friend over heard her discussion with me and began to offer her some encouragement and advice. “It’s easy”, he said, “Just put your foot here…” and he continued on, talking her through the process and offering her a demonstration.
His support and guidance was just what she needed. Up she got…
And down she jumped!
Now, I may have been wrong in my initial assessment, or maybe a ‘peer’, whom she thinks is ‘pretty cool’, was just the right person for the job. ‘Peer tutoring’ at it’s best!
The next day, the children moved on to another tree and a new challenge.
How wonderful it is to watch them grow in skill and confidence. Learning to challenge themselves and perform their own “risk assessment” analysis.
Remembering, there is no learning without a degree of risk. Stepping out of our comfort zone and challenging our mind and body.
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Karen, what a wonderful post & the photos say it all. I like you would often say to an unsure child that maybe when older or in a few weeks they will be able to climb further. I have also seen how another child modelling how to climb is much more effective than anythign any adult can say. I love htis post & think it is perfect for the outdoor play link up over at my blog! Kierna
Done BF! 🙂
Love!
🙂
I love climbing in the trees! That is a special school that you have here. I have awarded you a blog award. Come check it out on Sunday
Adrianne
Kidscogworks.com
Thank you for your support Adrianne! 🙂
I love this! We had a huge fig tree in our school’s yard that the children climbed, with no help from the teachers (to promote independence but to save our backs!) but the other children could and often did help! And what a feeling of accomplishement! (We need tree climbing for adults–when was the last time I climbed a tree!? Hmmm…)
I loved climbing trees when I was young Lisa, perhaps I should get back to it! 🙂
I love watching the progressions that kids make – when like you said something that was once just a dream is now achievable. The looks on their faces when they do this is all the evidence we need that risk taking in a safe, supportive environment has benefits galore.
Absolutely Jenny! I agree with you 100%! 🙂
Love it when that risk assessment thing kicks in. Climbing trees is one of my fondest childhood memories. I still keep an eye out for good ones! I think I sometimes forget I am a grown up.
I loveed this post! So beautifully put and the photos say it all. It fills me joy to see risk asessment being encouraged. These kids are very lucky to have a teacher like you! Love your blog by the way (a new follower via Let The Chilren Play) 🙂
[…] Click here for more risky business I CLIMBED A TREE TODAY! […]
What lucky kids to go to a school with a great climbing tree that they are actually allowed to climb. Kudos to the parents for being supportive of this activity! Thank you for linking up to The Outdoor Play Party, and I hope you come back again tomorrow to link up another great idea!
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