Appletree flip-flops was A Thing with Jack starting on his first visit to our family child care. He was three. By the time he was four, he would scurry up and down that tree like a hyperactive spider monkey–hand, arm, foot, leg, and core muscles working in unison with his eyes, proprioceptive system, and vestibular system. He was at home in its branches.

The flip-flops added difficulty to his climbing. Each time he lifted a foot, he pointed his toes upwards and performed a quick shimmyandshake with his ankle. This super-quick action nestled the flip-flip securely between his Went To Market toe and his Stayed Home toe. After this, he’d scrunch his toes on the raised foot to hold the flop in place as he moved it to the next branch. As soon as that foot was in place, the other would launch into a shimmyandshake in preparation for the next step.

I’m no fan of flip-flops and suggested over and over again that he go barefoot. But he loved his flips. I trusted his preference and stepped back, amazed at his process and skill.

Appletree Flip-Flops Wrap Up

A recurring theme of these Play Sighting posts is activity, like Jack’s appletree flip-flops, that invites uncertainty and challenge. Kids are very interested in testing their limits. Some adults don’t like this, feeling such activities are too hazardous. But not knowing your limits is a real hazard. Children allowed to test their limits learn what their limitations are, which keeps them safe in the long run.

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