When we play, we are giving ourselves permission to explore, to imagine, to make many many decisions about what we could do next.
When playing outside – without prepared and preplanned “play equipment” a child will improvise. A space between two trees can become a house. A stick can become a tool. More sticks can be leaned against the tree to create something to go in. Still more sticks can define a road-way to go to a friend’s house of sticks. A spot on the tree can become a doorbell. Leaves become salad.
This play can take a little more time to get started, but once begun, the ideas keep coming and children LOVE this.
On the other hand, an adult-designed playground has more immediate intrigue for the young child but the possibilities are much more limited.
So, provide your child with a little grove of trees and the possibilities are endless!
When playing outside – without prepared and preplanned “play equipment” a child will improvise. A space between two trees can become a house. A stick can become a tool. More sticks can be leaned against the tree to create something to go in. Still more sticks can define a road-way to go to a friend’s house of sticks. A spot on the tree can become a doorbell. Leaves become salad.
This play can take a little more time to get started, but once begun, the ideas keep coming and children LOVE this.
On the other hand, an adult-designed playground has more immediate intrigue for the young child but the possibilities are much more limited.
So, provide your child with a little grove of trees and the possibilities are endless!
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