SETTING THE STAGE

Setting the stage can be as simple as rolling a fat log next to the tree stump, in the small clearing among the white pines, and bringing out the children's cooktop and dishes.

Then you sit back and wait.

It will be discovered sooner than you think

And you might be served some delicious cherry pie

                                          or some plain oatmeal 
                                           without milk

                                        or some scrumptious pasta

                                       topped with cheddar cheese

                                          

    Offer nature to the children. . .  

 they know what to do :)

                                              

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

DAY 16 in the Great Outdoor Challenge.  

VISIT the others who play!

JOY IN NATURE

The woodlands and stumps of trees are fun for all ages.

To be in nature is sheer JOY.

DAY 11 of the Great Outdoor Challenge. . .that is, before the weather turned rainy and raw..brrr.

VISIT the others who play.

ALL IN A DAYS PLAY

You put a child in nature and they take it from there.

On DAY 10 of the Great Outdoor Challenge the boys found sticks and became explorers and ran in and around the teepee.

 Girls became bakers and made birthday "cakes".

Children of all ages practiced  balancing

Then they all became explorers again 

and hunted for chickens

And sometimes they were successful

Then a hunt for salamanders ensued and they found some under a board and put them in a
container to observe them and hold them for awhile.

Exploring, discovering observing. . . 
learning while having FUN . . .    all in a day's PLAY !


Visit the others who play the challenge.

{this moment}

{this moment}


Following SouleMama's inspiration :
"A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

What was YOUR *moment* this week?

SPLISH SPLASHERS

 IF you show children some WATER . . .

        you know they will want to   INVESTIGATE . . .

                                                        
                                             What can I do in the water?
                                                   
                                                      How does it feel?

                                                      
                                                          What can I find?

                                             Will this sink . . .or float?

What happens when I stamp my feet?

How deep is this?

How does it feel in bare feet? 

How do I make ripples ?

What happens when I run?

 Never underestimate the LEARNING  that takes place in the PLAY of children.


Whether at a kitchen sink, a bathtub, a pond, or a puddle, 


 CHILDREN + WATER = JOY !



Please share YOUR experiences with Children and Water!