How do we balance?

A group of three and four year olds are playing with some planks and a log. They try to balance and make a seesaw. They have to manage risk to make this game work. Sharing risk and anticipation helps to develop the enjoyment of taking turns.

Good for looking at

• Physical development
• Socialising
• Well-being
• Maths
• Risky play
• Forest nursery/kindergarten
• Nature pedagogy

A group of three and four year olds are playing with some planks and a log. They try to balance and make see saw. They have to manage risk to make this game work.

Notice

• How are the children learning? Which areas of development, engagement and characteristics of learning can you observe?
• In what ways does the adult support the children’s learning?
• How does the environment support the children’s learning?
• What is valuable about the materials provided as learning resources?

Reflect

What are your thoughts about:

• How the children communicated with each other?
• What areas of learning and development were covered?
• The role of the adult in this interaction – how did he support them?
• The value of this type of risky physical play?

Respond

What would you do to:

• Support the children’s understanding of balance?
• Encourage the children’s co-operative play abilities?
• Encourage their attempts to try out new difficult activities?
• Make sure the activity is safe enough? Think about risk vs benefit (see more in further reading)

What next:

• How can you encourage this kind of physical challenge in your setting?