GM.C.105 GOES UP AND DOWN A SLIDE INDEPENDENTLY

Your child is becoming quite adventurous now and you may need great self-restraint to allow her and try such nerve-racking things (for parents!) as going up and down a slippery slide independently. The more opportunity a child has to use climbing and park equipment, the more competent she will become and more able she will be in Gross Motor area. This will be of great benefit to her at preschool as she will be able to join in all the children’s games. Her general posture and physique will benefit too!

Of course, we don’t want to discourage your from supervising her play – the trick is to do this without communicating any anxiety to your child!

How to Assess

Materials: A small slippery slide

Method: Ask your child to climb the ladder, then come down the slide. Score plus if your child can go up the ladder and down the slide with no help.

How to Teach

Scout your local area for some child-size play equipment. Perhaps your local preschool would let you use theirs, even if your child does not yet attend. Some toy libraries lend out large outdoor equipment as well as smaller toys. If there is no suitable equipment in your area, it is worth a letter to the Council, as such equipment benefits all children.

Regular opportunities to practise on suitable equipment is probably all your child will need to learn this skill. She may need help at first to seat herself at the top of the stairs. If she is worried about sliding down, be there to catch her at the bottom until she gains confidence.