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?

Links

Play England - managing risk in play provision