it's not just a stick
"For children It's not just a stick!" Okay, maybe it is. But the versatility of sticks allow children to explore them in limitless ways! Children, with their magical eyes, can see 100 ways to engage with a simple stick. And when we take the time to stop & observe, we can begin to see the magic, too! While it's not uncommon for adults to interrupt or prevent stick play as we may fear someone getting hurt, know the benefits greatly outweigh the risks. In fact, risky play is quite healthy and quite essential. If you're concerned with how your child plays with sticks, you can always bring attention to the potential risk, while still providing them with the opportunity and autonomy to practice spatial awareness and self-regulation. For example, you may say something like "You're swinging your stick close to John. What might you do instead?" An observation + question such as this brings awareness and simultaneously allows your child to p