The leaves are changing, the air is crisp, and the sun is shining. These days are perfect for outdoor activities. Simple, fun, with unstructured objectives, while the children are soaking up all the vitamin D their bodies will allow.
Some people look at their backyard as a landscaped, grass cutting problem. Pretty boring, with always something work related to do.
However, when both of my kids see our backyard, they approach the situation with a different set of eyes. They see the backyard as an oasis, complete with unlimited imaginative abilities...
A perfect montage for swing play... Rock climbing... Or obstacle courses...
A magical tea party for two... A hot spot for discussing adventures... Or restaurant play...
Trees yearning to be climbed... Ninja warrior training... Or a home base for tag...
Unstructured play at its best...
Play time should be filled with unlimited walls and unlimited opportunities. Children should be allotted the time to develop their creativity through imagination and not be restricted to what a toy is only capable of.
Anything can be anything and anything can seem possible...
After all, play is a child's school. By mimicking adventures and encounters, they are learning how to physically produce the appropriate responses -with increasing dialogue.
While having the space to not be bounded by rules of a toy or structured activity, my children have the ability to make use of their time more effectively. They play daily in my backyard, having so much fun with just themselves. But that's only what I see, to them, they're not by themselves...
-My daughter is singing Let It Go with Elsa. Or running through the woods trying to find the Ice Castle.
-My son is Lightening McQueen and racing other racers. Or he's a digger, trying to find precious gold in the dirt.
Life is filled with rules, and one of the greatest gifts of childhood, is the ability to play without rules...
...By not being confined, allows a parent to see just how special and individual their child is. Because everyone is different and has amazing attributes to contribute to this world.
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