Did you know that the humble stick has been inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame? Few toys have the open-ended possibilities of the stick, and yet in many schools and early childhood settings playing with sticks is forbidden.

I think that is a tragedy. Sticks are childhood, just as much as mud and puddles and cardboard boxes and sofa-cushion forts. To deny children stick-play is to deny them one of the most powerful tools of the imagination. A stick can be anything a child can imagine. Anything.

Recently my friend Karen from Flights of Whimsy challenged some of us ECE bloggers to write poems celebrating the stick as creative toy. Click here to read Karen’s powerful post, her own poem, and a poem by Candy (the talented writer of the Aunt Annie’s Childcare blog).

Here’s my own poem; it’s called:

Not A Stick

Hold this for me, Dad – it’s not a stick.
Really it’s a wizard’s staff,
And we will fight dragons together,
Heroes, side by side.

But wait, Dad – it’s not a wizard’s staff.
Really it’s a fishing rod,
And we will catch fish together,
And dangle our toes in the water.

No, no, you see, Dad – it’s not a fishing rod.
Really it’s a shining horse,
And we will ride races together,
As the earth shakes beneath our hooves.

Oh, I know, Dad – it’s not a shining horse.
Really it’s a hammer,
And we will build a house together
To keep us warm when the cold wind blows.

And the best thing, Dad – do you know the best thing?
Outside there are more sticks,
So many stories waiting to be told:
Let’s find out what they are.

We’ll write them together.

All images licensed under Creative Commons licenses. Mouse over each image for image credit and license details; click image to go to the original image source.

You would almost think this is a natural bush waterhole – but it isn’t. It’s part of the new Rio Tinto Naturescape in Kings Park, Perth Western Australia.

Headwaters of Paperbark Creek

This post is one of two simultaneous posts; the other is by fellow ECE blogger Niki Buchan of Precious Childhood. We visited the Naturescape together and decided to release our blog posts at the same time.

We haven’t consulted at all with each other about the contents of the posts so it will be interesting to see our different takes on the Naturescape. One thing I’m certain of: Niki is a much better photographer than I am but we share similar views on the importance of nature play and on supporting risk in play.

What’s this Naturescape thing, then?

The Naturescape (shh, don’t call it a playground) is a fantastic addition to Perth’s play opportunities for children of all ages. Entrance is free.

Opened in October 2011, the $10m, 60,000 sqm area is described as a place which “invites children to immerse themselves in a natural environment doing what comes naturally – building cubbies, wading through creeks, climbing rocks, playing hide and seek and collecting bush treasures.”

It was opened by the Premier, Colin Barnett, who said: ”This is a wonderful playground area for children, a return to the old days where you can walk in the creek, play in the wetland, climb trees, get dirty, get your hands wet, even probably skin your knee.”

And in a first for me I find myself in complete agreement with Premier Barnett. This is a wonderful playground! I have no hesitation in calling it the best playground in Perth.