Going out into the snow with just woollen socks. This would be unthinkable in Germany. One would think I’m joking, but I’m not, because I went out into the snow with the kids wearing only woollen socks. But why did we do this, and what are the goals behind this activity?
It was minus 5 degrees outside. We all brought three pairs of woollen socks. We put them on and then went out into the snow without shoes. I thought we would do it for 10 minutes, but we were outside without shoes in the snow for an hour. I expected my feet to get cold, but they didn’t feel cold when walking. It was a very pleasant and interesting sensation to feel the snow directly under my feet. When taking off the socks, I realized that the second pair of socks hadn’t even gotten wet. I could truly feel how my feet got warmer and warmer from minute to minute, how the body temperature in my feet was readjusting. It was a strange feeling. I can highly recommend this experience and encourage others to try this experiment too.
Educational Goals of the Experiment:
1. Promoting the regulation of one’s body temperature: In a cold environment like snow, the body learns to regulate itself through various mechanisms, such as shivering and adjusting blood circulation. Children directly experience how the body reacts to external temperature changes and how they can contribute to generating warmth through movement.
2. Promoting tactile perception of the feet: Without shoes, children walk directly on the snow and experience different surfaces—ranging from cold and hard to soft and wet. These tactile experiences help sharpen sensory awareness and expand understanding of different materials and temperatures.
3. Improving movement abilities and coordination by walking without shoes on various surfaces: Walking on snow and different surfaces without shoes requires adjusted foot posture and greater body awareness. This promotes the development of coordination and helps children improve their movement abilities. They must consciously focus on how to place their feet to avoid twisting an ankle.
4. Strengthening the foot muscles: When children walk barefoot, their feet must work much harder to maintain balance and enable walking. This contributes to the development of foot muscles, which is especially important for motor development and the long-term health of the feet.
5. Promoting balance, dexterity, and motor skills: Walking in the snow without shoes adds an extra challenge for balance. Children must adjust their coordination and dexterity to remain stable on uneven or slippery surfaces. This experience promotes their ability to control their body and stay balanced, which positively affects their overall motor skills.
In summary, this experiment is not only an opportunity for children to discover through their senses and expand their physical abilities but also a valuable lesson in the body’s adaptability and the importance of perception. It is a playful yet educational way to challenge children both physically and mentally. And, as described above, it even has a relaxing and enjoyable effect when one embraces the experiment and trusts one’s own perception.
