NANA SAYS CHILDREN STILL USE OLD THINGS FOR THEIR CREATIVITY

An old box has been a play thing for many generations of children. Remember the fridge box would become a playhouse. Lately my grandchildren have been using boxes to make a robot. It is wonderful to see that children with all the modern gadgets will see a new use of a simple item and make an object. When playing in the backyard a stick is still a wonderful object used to play. The problem is that the kids will fight over the same stick when there are 50 more to use!! My granddaughter uses a spot behind some bushes as her fort!! When left to use their imagination, children like children of other generations use the resources at hand. I recall as a child using my brother's wagon first as a wagon for our "wagon train" going west  and later as the "trailer" to go camping. A wheelbarrow filled with water offered lots of water play. Even today kids old and young still like to run through the sprinkler. Oh yes the beach! Playing in the sand can entertain generations of families! So put the gadgets away and collect pine cones or go for a walk gathering items for a craft. My grandchildren have had some amazing experiences at camp where the counsellors have nurtured their imaginations. Get involved in the creative play! I love that school use play based learning in the younger grades. If you are lucky, you can have just as much fun with the little ones recapturing your own imagination.
#childrenandcreativity#usingoldthings#playisimportantforchildren#astickasatoy#imaginaryplayisgoodforeveryone#rememberingplayasachild#letchildrenusetheirimagination

PLAYING IN THE SNOW

While playing in the backyard with my

grandchildren, it made me think of the joys experienced with snow in my life. Nothing special occurred- we shovelled all the snow on the back porch into a big pile in order to make a future snowman when we have good packing snow for the head; wandered on the garden paths and made some snow angels. Little children can make play out of anything- a shovel, stick and snow! I was viewing the experience from the child's point of view. With all the gadgets, flashcards, electronic devices and the push to have little children constantly trying to be smarter and more advanced for their ages, the concept of imagination and cooperative play can be pushed aside. A backyard of snow and the fun of being outdoors was enough for the kids! Their parents take them skating and I believe some sledding activities will occur over the winter. The romp in the yard however brought lots of enjoyment! The grandkids wanted to stay outside longer-it was Nana who became cold and wanted the warmth of indoors! Can you make creative play from snow? Can you become the little child enjoying the simplicity of it? Can you put your gadgets aside taking in the outdoors?