​​​​​​​​Materials: None.

STEP 1

Visit a playground and play with your child!

STEP 2

When something is hard, encourage your child to keep trying. Cheer them on when they are persistent!

STEP 3

Try playing “follow the leader” to help your child feel more confident exploring new areas of the playground. They can watch how you climb or slide before trying it themselves.

MAKE IT EASIER:

Hold hands on tricky areas or when your child feels nervous. Remember that children should always go down the slide by themselves!

EXTEND THE LEARNING:

Challenge your child to try new activities. Can they climb the rock wall? Go down the tallest slide? Swing by themselves?


WHAT IS MY CHILD LEARNING?

Your child is learning important movement skills like climbing stairs, balancing, and controlling their bodies. Activities like monkey bars and swinging will strengthen their arm and leg muscles, too!

WHY?

Your child is also learning to react to what is around them—their environment. You are also teaching them to be persistent, or keep trying, when they face challenges.


child on swing