We are so lucky to have a forest in our back yard full of wonderful sticks. When children pick up sticks they are engaging in play that fosters learning about themselves and the world they live in. It amazes me how quickly the children find a stick that attracts them enough to pick it up, and very often carry it for most of the walk. These children have a NEED to hold and explore with a stick. Sticks are simply the perfect natural toy!
Co-operation and Planning
It took this group of children a couple of minutes to figure out how to carry this curvy stick. They worked at it and in the end carried it all the way back to Stomping!
These boys talked about planting this stick and growing a tree...they had a plan!
Making Marks
Supporting and Propping
Making Music
A stick extends a child's arm so they can explore their world from another perspective.
To be able to give these children the opportunity and freedom to enjoy playing with sticks is so rewarding not only for me, but mostly for the children.
Thanks for Stomping by!
Lovely photos as usual, where would we be without sticks huh?
ReplyDeleteThe photos show the children's co-operation, the children's enjoyment of nature and of course, their FREEdom to expand their imaginations. GREAT job you ladies are doing at Stomping!! Inspiring to say the least!
ReplyDeleteWe love our sticks here too...glorious photos of the kids exploring, investigating and having fun!
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