Stick Inducted in Toy Hall of Fame
I love this. I am going to the Kids Online (un)Conference next week and my new theme is going to be the simplicity of found objects as the ultimate in entertainment. I guess we adults over think things. We certainly never did as children.
And last but not least, one very unconventional “plaything”—the Stick!—has now taken its honored place in the hall. Found in all sizes in nature, sticks inspire spontaneous, unstructured play and can be used in unendingly imaginative ways—to draw in the sand on a beach, or to use as a magic wand, slingshot, light saber, fishing rod, or walking stick; not to mention playing stickball, toasting marshmallows, or playing “fetch” with your dog.
In fact, just this evening, my soon to be 3 year old daughter re-discovered the joy of raiding kitchen cabinets. “What this, Moooooommmmyyyy?” while hold up a large round flat spoon. “That is a paella spatula”. “Pie A Uhhhhhh??? I like Pie A Uhhhhhhh” She then proceeded to use the paella spatula, chopsticks and assorted cheese graters to construct the alphabet on a moderately dirty kitchen floor. (Think I can just sneak all those utensils back into the drawer without washing them?)
I wonder when a virtual world will join the list.
–Amy