Sliding on Ice or Snow
There are many activities that children can do outside in the snow or on a frozen pond or backyard rink. One is sliding in some form or another. You do not need a fancy toboggan to enjoy the fun of skimming downhill on fresh snow or slipping and sliding on a frozen patch of water.
Getting Ready
If your child is old enough to understand the concept, have them pour some water in a container and place it in the freezer or outside on a cold night to "discover" the transition of a liquid to solid, water to ice.
Take the ice into the bathroom to slide it around the tub or shoot down the sides of the tub.
If snow is handy, fill a bucket full and take it into the tub to mould it, bury small toys and slide objects over.
Gear Up
Often it can help to have children become familiar with outdoor clothing while indoors before having to go outside and stay upright in the cold on an unfamiliar, potentially slippery surface.
A toque (no tail to get caught-up),
scarf (tucked inside),
a snowsuit or snow pants & coat,
mittens and boots are all part of the gear, particularly if they are waterproof fabrics that allow for easy sliding*.
A gator or neck-face warmer maybe needed if it is particularly cold or windy.
For activities on ice or sliding downhills, a helmet that can be adjusted to fit over a toque
Sliding Action - 2 types
Have your child learn how to slide on his/her feet while maintaining balance. This can first occur with socks on a slippery floor - small step – step - slide, repeat… arms out for balance and stability; helmet on for practice and comfort in wearing.
Explore how sliding can be done while sitting or laying on different objects while on a slippery surface; a slide at the park, toboggan, inner tube, piece of cardboard on snow…hold on with hands tucked in on the sides for safety.
Taking It Outdoors
Start by having your child interact with the snow feeling it and pushing it around and building mounds.
Have them slide toys or something flatbottomed along snow or and ice to develop the feeling of movement
Create a slope and let them slide a box or object around the snow surface. Then advance to letting it slip down the slope.
Add sound effects to enhance the experience for your child.
Try having your child sit on an object that slides and begin pushing them around a flat surface to promote comfort with the motion, adding some speed to it as they progress
Be descriptive as they move - let your child know if there is a bump coming up or a change of terrain, so it is not an unwelcome surprise.
Try different objects letting them find something that they can climb onto or into easily.
Let them pull it at first to give them a sense of the motion and ease of sliding. They can give a favourite toy or object a ride on a sled or something like a piece of cardboard before they try it themselves.
Going Downhill!
Start with a small slope
If your child is unsure have them sit on a lap or be supported by your legs and slide with them. Having them use their body to support themselves will promote confidence as well.
Adding sound is a great way to enhance fun and the feel of the activity either by description or general sound effects for the speed of movement.
There are many types of sleds or sliding items to try; give them an opportunity to feel the shape and size of them
Try different positions when on the object.
Have them kneel or try laying flat on a sled. Some children may need the confidence of having others ride with them, particularly with longer or steeper slopes and/or having a little doll or stuffy along to share the ride.
Safety is important! Keep hands inside, not grabbing the edges of the sliding object!
Skating, snowshoeing, and skiing are other sliding activities to try once your child has confidence with movement on snow or ice. Adaptations like sitting on a chair on ice can be a start to moving to skates on ice.
Talk it up, often words of support are important to help promote enjoyment of the activity when out in snow and ice!
Talk about it after the activity is done while warming up over a cup of hot chocolate!
Credit: BC Blind Sports
Photo Credit: Photo by jesse orrico on Unsplash