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Props make for richer pretend play. Sometimes all you need to do is provide some props and let your kids go forth and imagine. So, providing camping and hiking gear can make for hours of backyard camping or forest ranger imaginative play. And, believe me, this kind of play is for ALL AGES, especially preschoolers, and is fundamental for a child’s development.

Suggested Props:

tent

sleeping bags

camouflage

flashlights

lantern

cargo vest

hat

field guides

hiking sticks

magnifying glass

binoculars

snacks – gorp

Play Ideas:

Set up camp.

Observe the nature around using your magnifying glass and binoculars.

Keep a nature observation journal.

Forest rangers hike around helping campers and hikers take good care of the area and clean up after themselves. Show other “campers” the importance of staying on the trails and cleaning up the area.

Gather collections of leaves, rocks, or other items.

Stay overnight in the backyard tent.

Make a nature or camping scavenger hunt. Print a hunt from the Scavenger Hunt Guru.

What Would Vygotsky Do?

I ask this because Vygotsky helped the world to see how important play was for child development.

“In play, a child is always above his average age, above his daily behavior; in play, it is as though he were a head taller than himself.” (Lev Vygotsky 1896-1934)

In other words, play facilitates a higher level of language, self-regulation, interpersonal skills, and the like and thus facilitates brain development.  If we provide our children with time to play, children will develop thinking, emotional, and physical skills.

Are you providing your children time to play?

Do you need to cut out something scheduled to facilitate more play time?

How do you find time to play in your family?

 

 

 

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