Children, Naturally

Here is something I have been reflecting on for several years. When did play become 'risky play'?

If those of us who are a little older think back to how we played as children, we list things like climbing trees, making forts in the bush, walking in a nearby creek, riding our bikes all over town, tobogganing, etc. This list could go on. We were usually with neighbourhood kids or siblings and cousins. And the adults were usually not around.

Then, over the years, this play started to be called 'risky'.

Some people have tried to make the move from calling it risky to calling it Adventure Play in hopes that people would be more inclined to allow this play if it, in essence taking away the 'risk'.

Call it whatever you want, to me it is Play, and it is valuable to all children!

When I ask, "Hey, did you get outside today?" and I get a list of reasons, such as it's too cold, too wet, the snow is too deep, etc. I worry about the message we are clearly sending and the behaviours we are modelling to the children we work with. They are getting the message that we only enjoy outside when the weather is"nice".

We soon hear the children saying they don't want to go out because it is too cold, too wet, or the snow is too deep. They are following what they have observed the adults saying.
Adults hold a lot of power. If the adults don't enjoy being outside and can be heard complaining, children will pick up on it and copy it. And worse yet, the adults start making excuses to go back in early because the children are complaining! (Where did they learn it from?)

Let's use our power for good, dress warm, and get outside in all weather (and play)! The reasons for doing this are endless!

Come join me at the Manitoba Nature Summit!

Does this look familiar? How many of our playgrounds for children look like this in some form? They cost thousands of dollars for children to quickly get bored with and move to playing in the trees or on hills of sand or dirt in natural play spaces, where the play is more interesting and creative.

How many of our outdoor playspaces are actually built WITH children in mind? How many times do we think about their needs, their interests, and how they challenge themselves?

Let's do better for children.

You may see a pile of sticks in your yard and think it's neglected, but it's a bustling habitat! 🌿

In February, this brush pile is fully booked:

🏠 THE PENTHOUSE: Song Sparrows and Carolina Wrens shelter from ice storms in the top layer.

🌿 THE MEZZANINE: A cottontail rabbit finds refuge here, creating a "form" for safety.

🐛 THE STANDARD ROOMS: Hibernating queen bumblebees and Mourning cloak butterflies live in the deeper layers, while ground beetles and spiders control pests.

🌧️ THE BASEMENT: Redback salamanders thrive in the moist environment at the bottom, essential for their survival.

🍄 THE INFRASTRUCTURE: Fungi break down wood and enrich your soil with nutrients.

One brush pile (6x3 feet) supports over 1,000 organisms across 100+ species throughout winter. A “clean” yard is a biological desert!

Your brush pile isn’t messy; it’s full! 🌱

Children are not designed to sit still. Let them do what they do best; let them play, let them tell you all their stories and ideas, and support them in bringing all those ideas to life.
If you are brave enough to let go of the control you think you need, you will see amazing things happen.

Check these out!

I was so excited to create these Valentines as they showcase 12 wild relationships that demonstrate mutualism. Each animal and plant featured has a special connection to each other. ❤

Which relationship do you connect with most?

Enjoy! https://wilderchild.com/collections/printables/products/printable-symbiotic-nature-valentines

Happy I Love to Read month!
What is on your list? Share your favourite titles of children's books.
Let's grow our libraries. 📕

This fits with what I always say, "Sitting still is not a marketable skill".

Children are designed to move, and many children (and adults) need to move to think. So, why is there this belief that we need to make them sit because they will be in school one day?

Ditch circle time and let them PLAY!
(Everything you planned in the circle will happen naturally in their play, and if you really watch them, you will see all the learning happening while they are moving and playing!)

Play is important in so many ways, but we often forget how important it is in helping children make sense of their world.
They act out their fears, anxiety, and things they hear around them that they don't understand. Many of us saw this during the pandemic.
Our role is to support that play. It may make us feel uncomfortable, especially in what we are seeing and hearing these days, but they need to be able to play it out!