Learning Through Play - Playing Outside

I love taking my kids to the playgrounds, encouraging them to climb and explore everything but there's something most playgrounds simply don't offer and that's unstructured play. When a toy/game is placed in front of a child that has a particular end purpose it's hard to bring in creativity and the same goes with large movement play.
So, today we stuck to the yard and explored all the items we had around the house. Maddie found a garden shovel and went to work on digging while Jacob continued to crawl up and down the front steps, something he doesn't typically get access to inside. We also checked out all the bugs {since the cold weather hasn't seem to hit yet there are plenty of bugs still out} and Maddie even did a bit of climbing herself on the swing. Her and her brother enjoy a good challenge. 
Overall, the kids were able to explore, laugh, and learn all through their own play. There was no right or wrong way of doing anything, simply moving or not moving was the way to be.
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The Process of Play

Have you ever watched children play? It's pretty unique to unravel the moments of discovery and play with a child. Below are pics of Maddie while she discovers a new toy and all it's fun.

Maddie found some cars left behind from the neighbor kids. She picked them up, checked out the make and model, and began playing, freely, with them.

She then began picking up different toys, trying to work them together. Problem solving to see how things fit into place, whether or not they were compatible.

And then she began her pretend play. She picked up a stick, called it a snake, and began moving it around the toys.

There is so much learning that takes place through simple play. Children need these opportunities to investigate, pretend, and create while in the safety and enjoyment of parents. :)

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