Exploring simplicity in play - just a stick - no it is so much more, we are going to delve a little deeper into why adding a stick to sand play offers an array of play opportunities for your little one.
Sparking Imagination and Creativity
Unlike structured toys that often have a single purpose, a stick encourages open ended play.
We often talk about the many benefits of open ended resources and we use these within all aspects of the our play space.
The sticks within the sandpit often become a central part to many different imaginative play ideas.
I spent one morning play session in the sandpit and saw how the simple stick can be some many different things and supports a huge range of learning opportunities.
A birthday cake
A tool to mix a potion
A straw for a drink
Developing Fine Motor Skills
Before children are able to write letters or make marks on a page, they develop a sense of making meaningful marks within their play. They recognise that the movements they make create shapes either on paper, in sand or even in spilt milk.
The way they hold onto the stick helps to develop their grip and you will notice children move through grip styles as they gain more control over these tools.
Mathematical Opportunities
Have you noticed how much maths can be involved in this play?
How many sticks are in your cake?
Lets count them.
Counting 1 for 1
Reciting number orders
Holding up fingers that represent that number
Measuring
These little opportunities of counting help to lay the foundations of exploring number, even if to start with you model this play, it will soon become part of their own play narrative.
All of this learning happened in play, all this learning happened without any adult direction, all this learning happened with just a stick.
In this blog I have just focused on the sand pit and the learning I observed taking place during this session, however sticks can be added to many different play set ups especially when outside. It is such an amazing and FREE play resource.
Let's discuss how your little one uses a stick in their play.
Why not join us for a play session this week and see how your little one explores sticks in the sandpit.
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