Once they nail walking there’s no stopping our brave little souls. They LOVE a challenge and where better to provide just the right dosage of uneven ground and unexpected physical negotiations than outside in nature. This is exactly why we made the decision to obliterate our artificial grass (sorry landfill we promise not to do it again), get rid of all outdoor toys, frames etc. and plant an unkempt native urban woodland. It was one of the best things we ever did (and the birds love it).
But this blog is not about nature. Physical challenges in a natural garden setting ensure gross motor skills are accelerated tenfold. By providing opportunities to climb over natural obstacles like rocks, logs, and hills, toddlers practice balance and coordination, and improve their overall physical dexterity. Being exposed to uneven terrain and natural challenge helps them to develop spatial awareness and depth perception. Oh, and self-risk assessment – never forget risk assessment!
At Young Friends we have intentionally eradicated all structured toys from our woodland garden – well actually from the entire setting but that’s another blog. We don’t get rid of things because they are ‘too big for a child’ because we see them as opportunities for climbing and balancing thus instilling physical confidence and curiosity.
When toddlers are given the opportunity to explore a natural garden setting, they become more curious about the world around them. This as we see daily at the kindergarten ignites a fascination in the natural world, and a desire to learn more about plants, animals, and their environment. Nurture this fire early and it will never go away – we are due for the next David Attenborough to take to the spotlight soon, right?
When toddlers overcome a physical challenge, they do not hide their pride – oh no, and what an absolute pure joy this is to see. This confidence transfers to other areas of their life and provides encouragement to enthusiastically take on new challenges.
Oh, I almost forgot about the social/cooperative play opportunities that come from these physical challenges. They really are the gift that keeps on giving, aren’t they?! Children love nothing more than working together to navigate or move a challenging tree stump or bucket full of water or help each other (and I mean by this push or pull!) up a steep hill, developing their social skills and language, thinking critically, and building strong relationships with their peers.
Caveat: It is important to note that providing physical challenges in a natural garden setting should always be done with safety in mind. Careful supervision, age-appropriate challenges, and proper equipment are all necessary to ensure that toddlers can safely explore and develop their physical abilities.
Thanks for reading – come back soon!