Not just sticks - a box of treasure! |
The big sticks are just as popular as the smaller ones. |
Last week I began to talk about Primary 1, to prepare the children for the move to 'big school' in September. The majority of my class are moving onto P.1 in the same school & so will get to go for a visit to their new teacher for a couple of hours in the next few weeks. As I talked to them about what they knew about P.1 (many have older siblings already in the school) they listed things they thought they might see in their new P.1 classroom - a sand tray, a water tray, Lego, books and blocks. I mentioned they would have snack in P.1 too & then we began to discuss what might be different. Suggestions ranged from - no toys to homework before my stick lover asked "Are there sticks in P.1?" I said I didn't think there were & he sighed & replied that maybe the other children had never learned how to play with them at nursery. But the sad fact is they did as the majority of our primary children do come through the nursery so they have played with sticks safely aged 3 & 4 only to never be allowed to play with them again.
Sometimes I do worry that I am letting the children in my class do lots of things they won't be allowed to do in primary but then I realise that I am allowing them at least 1 year of risky free play that will hopefully stay with them forever & encourage them to be able to make informed choices about risks when they are older.
If teachers of older children need some ideas of how to introduce sticks & use them in the playground or lessons then please check out the amazing Creative Star Learning Company - Juliet has so many great posts on sticks.
Love sticks!
ReplyDeleteYes! I was gutted for him when he realised there will be no sticks in big school.
DeleteI let children do a lot of things they will never be able to do again in school like playing with sticks or rocks. And neither am I at peace with that fact. I am at peace, though, with how happy they are in my classroom. Is that enough?
ReplyDeleteThat is so true Tom, I think if we can reconcile ourselves to the fact we are doing our best, it does get easier.
DeleteI always think its the adults that worry about children playing with sticks, but I don't think I have ever had a problem or injury with children just simply playing with a stick. I love how children will use a stick and make so many different play objects from them. A good walk always needs a good stick! Great post.
ReplyDeleteExactly Kim, children see the potential in the stick while adults see what might or could happen.
DeleteI think you're definitely doing the right thing by letting them play with sticks! Even if they don't have the opportunity to do so in the next grade, they will have learned to appreciate it and can hopefully continue their stick games at home for a long time to come.
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda, as Tom said in another comment sometimes we get a bit 'wobbly' about how much we are preparing kids for school or for life!
DeleteMy son is currently in love with sticks. Mostly as a wand. He deosnt really know swords yet. Stick is dangerous only if you dont know how to handle them well and I would like to think that my son knows =) #countrykids
ReplyDeleteExactly, all children are drawn to sticks, thanks for coming over to comment.
DeleteThe fun of sticks, something children never seem to grow out of! I can see what a great resource they are, not only creative and imaginative play but also as a tool to allow children to start the process of taking their own risk assessments. Thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to hear someone who sees their worth! Thanks for hosting another great link up too.
DeleteThat's brilliant, sticks are magical!
ReplyDeleteIndeed they are :)
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