This month, School-age 2 at RisingOaks Early Learning | St. Luke have been really invested in watching and keeping up with the World Series: Toronto Blue Jays vs LA Dodgers. Since then, we have brought out a baseball bat and a ball and they have been playing with them nonstop. Everyday it consists of them dividing into two teams in which they call themselves ‘Blue Jays’ and ‘The Dodgers’. Each team was assigned a team leader and the team leader had to relate important rules. They first had to ensure everyone's safety while playing, knowing the rules, and also ensuring everyone would have fun. Let the game begin!
The first team goes up to bat and Daniel S is pitching to Parker. Daniel S throws the ball and realizes it is too high for Parker to hit. “Ball 1,” Daniel S said. This demonstrates leadership and responsibility by motivating each other and keeping the game fair (something that is very important if your team is losing). Daniel S pitched again and Parker hits it, running to first base. On the benched, friends cheered them on as the game played. “Go Blue Jays Go!” everyone shouted. This enhances communication among peers, cooperation with one another, and coordination skills, especially when up to bat as you need to keep your eye on the ball and try to hit a moving object (the ball), as well as run and track a moving object at the same time as you try and make it on base (trajectory and hand-eye coordination). This also allows them to encourage teamwork and boost self-esteem among peers because you rely on each other as you strategize with each of your teammates.
In the end, everyone encouraged one another and led by example. Win or lose, they all still went home learning something or gaining something new. It was a wonderful way to represent their current interest and follow their lead in play.
