Playing with Sticks

[Oneluckymom]

Do you allow your DCKs to play with sticks...even really long ones?

I have a large yard with LOTS of trees. The DCK's I have LOVE playing all kinds of imaginative games with them. I realize that there are dangers with sticks.

Today I had a licensing visit...which went greathappyface, but she saw one of the DCKs with a stick and said "oh my, that's dangerous."

So, should I NOT allow sticks?

[Blackcat31]

My DCK's are NOT allowed to play with sticks. EVER.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I WANT to allow sticks, but I won't for liability reasons. Too much could go wrong.

If they find a stick, I either take it and throw it away or I toss it far, far away from where they play. They use leaves, yarn strands we bring out, etc. in their outdoor imaginary play.

[Oneluckymom]

My DCK's are NOT allowed to play with sticks. EVER.

::Where do you find these?

ok, so I'll make some changes. That's why I love this forum.

[Jewels]

I really wish they could play with sticks in a good way, I DO NOT allow it, I don't want someone getting hurt with one, the boys use them like swords, they don't watch for other kids around them, sticks are a great toy, and I totally let my own kids play with them when no DCK's are here, just like I let my kids do flips on the couch and swing in the baby johnny jump up, but not when the DCK's are here.
However I do let them gather the sticks in a pile to make a "campfire" or yesterday I was cleaning up the sticks in the yard and they were helping me. they could help as long as they didn't swing any like swords, one did, so he couldn't help anymore.
And the campfire if we do it, is something I lead. not a real fire!!!!!

[Crystal]

I do.

[Blackcat31]

::Where do you find these?

ok, so I'll make some changes. That's why I love this forum.

You can find them here: http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php

Just copy and paste the forum code into your replies.

[youretooloud]

I do! I don't have any sticks, but, if I had actual sticks just lying around, i'd let them play with it. ONE little whack with a stick, and they'd lose the privilege. I probably wouldn't let them play with long thin sticks. But, branch size sticks, or tiny sticks. Maybe not the ones that would be easy to whip each other with.

I hate that we are forced to sissiefy our kids. Heaven forbid they scrape a knee.

[craftymissbeth]

I'm a big believer in "loose parts" when playing outdoors... and to me, sticks are loose parts. They're perfect for all sorts of play.

As far as safety goes, I wouldn't want a kid who's still unsteady on his feet walking around with a stick or for any of the kids to be violent with them.

[MamaBearCanada]

Yes. But...

Not as weapons
If they hit someone even accidentally they are done
They must not swing them around or behind themselves
Not in a confined area
Only the older kids

I do get nervous, but I feel playing in and with nature is important on so many levels. I also only have a small home daycare I probably wouldn't if there were 6+ kids playing with sticks.

[LittleD]

Yes, mostly. But no one under 2 ( and sometimes they have to be older then that)
Smaller kids use smaller sticks.
No running with them.
Have to be carried sideways.
Used in building projects
Not to be used as weapons, chewed on, thrown.

I modify if need be, but we like to use all sorts of nature things when we build in the sand.

[DaisyMamma]

Sticks are always finding my yard. Its a never ending battle.
I've been teaching the kids to pick them up and throw them over the fence.
If I don't see them first, though, they try to use them as weapons.

[mom2many]

We have a huge hedge along our perimeter in the backward and dcks are always finding sticks in there. I don't let them play with anything long---afraid someone will fall or stick someone else in the eye...but the little twigs and leaves entertain them for hours! ::

[Evansmom]

I do allow it but I have a very small group (3 DCKs) and they are very peaceful kids so I've never seen any fighting or sword play with the sticks. Mostly they pile them up for "camp fires", and collect interesting looking ones. We also collect thick ones and spray paint them we spray paint rocks too. It's so fun! Currently we have shiny gold sticks and shiny silver stones the kids are allowed to build little fairy or gnome houses with them and other natural materials and they have a lot of fun doing that.

I feel like the example I have set with the kids is to be constructive with them as building materials so that's the only thing they see them as being used for.

[e.j.]

I allowed my own kids to use sticks while under my supervision but when I first got licensed to do day care, I took a first aid class. We learned about puncture wounds and how to use a paper cup to stabilize a stick should it become stuck stuck in a child's eye. That did it for me! No sticks at my day care! I have a large tree in my play area that is constantly shedding branches. I either toss them over the fence when I see them or put them in a bucket for my husband to use when he needs kindling for the fireplace or wood stove.