Yes, we do climb up the slide.
We climb up the slide here at Child Central Station in the backyard...
We climb up the slides when we are at the park.....
and here are a few reasons why we think you could reconsider climbing up and allowing the children in your care to climb up the slide too!
1. Climbing up the Slide uses MUSCLE!
Young children need to be active and climbing up the slide requires a lot of muscle and coordination. It is not an easy feat- and requires strength, concentration, determination, and will power.
2. Climbing up the Slide is RISKY!
Yes- climbing up the slide is potentially risky, but so is sliding down! Your job as a caregiver is to carefully observe and monitor the situation, to be close by- but not to interfere unless necessary. Part of a child's learning process must include managing risks- climbing up the slide is a perfect way to practice this skill.
3. Climbing up the Slide involves potential CONFLICT!
It is almost inevitable that when one child decides to climb up the slide, another will want to slide down. This is the perfect opportunity for children to practice communication and conflict resolution skills. If the children are too young to do so on their own, your job as a caregiver is to help broadcast the situation and to help them resolve the conflict. If children are older- you can help them IF they need you to by asking questions.... like What is happening? Who do you need to talk to? What would you like to see happen? How can we solve this problem?
4. Climbing up the Slide will mostly likely cause FAILURE!
Children need to learn how to try, try, try and FAIL. They need to realize that not everything always works out the first time. Climbing a slide is the perfect situation for failure. Children ultimately do not make it to the top the first time. When they slide down, they have the opportunity to consider other options- come up with a plan, and continue to try until they succeed!
5. Climbing up the Slide encourages CREATIVITY AND COOPERATION!
Climbing up the slide is not easy, and sometimes children will need a little bit of help to reach the top. When children are faced with failure and have the skills to problem solve- they will get creative. They will find a solution- and often times utilize other tools and ask others for help. I have seen so much growth and teamwork happen while climbing the slide!
6. Climbing up the Slide also encourages SUCCESS!
Most children will eventually find success in climbing up the slide. They will experience this from their hard work and their ability to stick to it! It helps them gain a sense of pride and confidence in their own abilities.
7. Climbing up the Slide builds TRUST!
When children are allowed to do things that involve potential risk- they learn to trust in their own abilities, in their own bodies, and it shows them that the caregivers around them trust them too. Your action of allowing the children to try tells them that you trust them to try, you trust them to succeed, and you trust them as competent problem solvers.
I hope you are ready to climb up the slide now too!
Comments
Unfortunately, I work in a center where they don't allow kids to climb up the slide! I'm always delighted to see kids keep doing it no matter how many time those anxious adults tell them not to. At the same time, I'm also frustrated because I'm compelled to discourage the kids to do so. I'm definitely going to share your post with my co-workers and hope it will spark a change!
I'd like to know your position on bringing toys on the play structure. I'm kind of steadfast against that as well unless its a teacher directed activity to learn about ramps and speed. But children in the past have taken to throwing toys from the top of the structure which is very dangerous for those below. How do you handle toys on the play structure?
I just let my kids go nuts on the playground and keep an eye out to make sure they don't start doing something likely to crack their head open.
At most, I've probably asked them to stop climbing the slide of someone else is about to slide down. They don't need sneakers slamming into their face, and the slide is one of those "taking turns" sort of items.