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Oneluckymom 12:03 PM 04-26-2013
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 great, but she saw one of the DCKs with a stick and said "oh my, that's dangerous."

So, should I NOT allow sticks?
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Blackcat31 12:09 PM 04-26-2013
My DCK's are NOT allowed to play with sticks. EVER.


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EntropyControlSpecialist 12:11 PM 04-26-2013
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.
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Oneluckymom 12:19 PM 04-26-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
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.
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Jewels 12:21 PM 04-26-2013
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!!!!!
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Crystal 12:21 PM 04-26-2013
I do.
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Blackcat31 12:22 PM 04-26-2013
Originally Posted by Oneluckymom:
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.
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youretooloud 12:29 PM 04-26-2013
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.
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craftymissbeth 12:37 PM 04-26-2013
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.
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MamaBearCanada 12:45 PM 04-26-2013
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.
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LittleD 01:01 PM 04-26-2013
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.
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DaisyMamma 01:26 PM 04-26-2013
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.
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mom2many 01:55 PM 04-26-2013
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!
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Evansmom 02:04 PM 04-26-2013
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.
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e.j. 02:06 PM 04-26-2013
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.
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Oneluckymom 02:38 PM 04-26-2013
my own kids have always loved playing with sticks, but I think for liability and safety I won't allow DCKs to play with them.

I just would feel horrible if it poked an eye...you only get one pair!
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rmc20021 02:52 PM 04-26-2013
Sticks and rocks stay on the ground...leaves, grass, moss, bugs are all ok. Sticks can poke eyes and rocks usually end up getting thrown.
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Patches 03:32 PM 04-26-2013
Nope, too dangerous. My own kids, outside of daycare hours, yes.
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cheerfuldom 04:22 PM 04-26-2013
I do but I only have three daycare kids right now, and my four kids. but I do set boundaries to it. As long as they are pretending campfire, building and such, thats fine. No "sword play", poking, throwing, etc.
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mema 07:12 PM 04-26-2013
Only if they are helping me pick them up and put them in the stick pile.
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Cradle2crayons 07:28 PM 04-26-2013
Yes, mine are allowed to play as in stack, pile them up, and build with them. No they aren't allowed to fight or sword fight with them.
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Scout 07:31 PM 04-26-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
My DCK's are NOT allowed to play with sticks. EVER.

I your smilies! I actually laughed out loud!!
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Scout 07:33 PM 04-26-2013
I don't even let my own kids play with sticks!! This could all be due to the fact that I am legally blind in one eye so I am very cautious about eye safety!! I could just see a stick poking someone in the eye and the bad things that would follow!
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SilverSabre25 09:10 PM 04-26-2013
We're allowed I also consider them loose parts, and there are guidelines, as with everything else.

No throwing them.
No throwing them anywhere, not even straight up in the air.
No throwing them at the tree.
No throwing them in the air even if you didn't mean to hit the tree.
No using them to whack bugs off the tree.
No weapons
No fighting
No poking people.
No swinging. Even if it's a sword, because it's not a sword? Remember, no weapons. yes, swords are weapons. Yes, even if it's pretend.

I tend to wrap all those up into "Play softly and gently with the sticks" which works. Except for one particular child who needs to find ALL the limits and test them, haha. The "detailed" rules up there are all things I've said to him at one time or another.

Sometimes I decide one is too sharp/long/heavy/etc and take it away, but we mostly get the smallish ones. And I have some pieces of tree branch lying around for "campfires" and things of that nature. It's cute, really.
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youretooloud 09:02 AM 04-27-2013
Originally Posted by SilverSabre25:
We're allowed I also consider them loose parts, and there are guidelines, as with everything else.

No throwing them.
No throwing them anywhere, not even straight up in the air.
No throwing them at the tree.
No throwing them in the air even if you didn't mean to hit the tree.
No using them to whack bugs off the tree.
No weapons
No fighting
No poking people.
No swinging. Even if it's a sword, because it's not a sword? Remember, no weapons. yes, swords are weapons. Yes, even if it's pretend.

I love that we have to say something in five different ways because kids can always find a loophole.
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MissAnn 09:18 AM 04-27-2013
Speaking of sticks, this book is awesome!

http://www.amazon.com/Not-Stick-Anto...ds=not+a+stick

I hope I did the link right!
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LK5kids 05:42 PM 04-27-2013
Nope...never!
They can play with sticks at home
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_Dana_ 05:57 PM 04-27-2013
This actually hits close to home.

Just last week a little boy wanted to show my neighbors daughter a Y-shaped twig(not even a stick) at daycare. She tripped as she ran to him and the stick pierced her nose. Now, she has two little scabs where the prongs poked through. Poor kiddo. Luckily, it wasn't an inch higher. It could've easily been her eye.

Personally, I would like to allow the children to play with sticks. However, I see it as a liability.
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pandamom 10:25 PM 04-27-2013
It's not a center rule. But me and the other 2 year old teachers agreed we wouldn't let our kids play with sticks on the playground.
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AmyKidsCo 04:54 PM 04-28-2013
I never used to allow it, but last summer I let them play with sticks "as long as there are no problems." Obviously, hitting a friend, using them as weapons, running with them, etc, would all be problems and the child would have to try again the next day.
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daycare 05:01 PM 04-28-2013
Depends on the size and under what condition. We collect smaller scale sticks and then place them in small to large order. Or we collect sticks and paint with them.

We have made sticks into boats, kites and fishing poles. Any other circumstances than supervised art or creative projects I would not allow for it.
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SquirrellyMama 05:48 AM 04-29-2013
I allow kids to play with sticks but the stick cannot be longer than the child.

K
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originalkat 07:54 AM 04-29-2013
Unfortunately, I do not allow the kids to play with sticks. I have gone back and forth with this over the years but ultimately decided the risks outweighed the benefits. Although I am ALL FOR NATURE PLAY sticks are too dangerous for groups of young children. They can poke someone in the eye waaaaay too easily, and I have had some close calls in the past. We have TONS of trees. The kids know if they find a stick they can take it to the stick pile in the back corner of our yard.
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Childminder 12:47 PM 04-29-2013
I do not because they always turn into a weapon or some child runs and falls with them. Other toys can/are used the same way but I can't take Mother Nature to court and would have to assume all liability if the kid is injured.

Heck, for that matter I have one girl that can't walk across the grass without fallin and splitting her lip on the one pebble hidden in the lawn. Four stitches. Thank God the parents know how graceful she is.
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spud912 02:07 PM 04-29-2013
It depends on the child. I have three children who make "nests" with them and are very careful. My other three children swing them around and poke/hit (this includes all 2 of my boys and my tom-girl daughter....the children who are careful are my 3 prissy girls ). As a result, the three wild ones are not generally allowed to play with sticks.
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Starburst 11:36 AM 04-30-2013
Originally Posted by 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 great, but she saw one of the DCKs with a stick and said "oh my, that's dangerous."

So, should I NOT allow sticks?
I think it depends on the circumstance. At my college they have a class called "outdoor classroom with children" where they teach you how to lead kids into natural material play and teach kids how to collect sticks, leaves, and other natural items. They believe that children need more exposure to nature. I think if they are a certain age (usually late 3's; some kids not until 5 or 6ish) and that child understand what is okay and not okay like if it's with sorting, scavenger hunts, or art projects it should be fine. If they are deliberately using them as weapons or throwing them then no. At the FCC I worked at she had an outdoor equipment area with woodchips and the kids would always try to play in the wood chips but we would tell them not to play with it because we knew they would try to throw it. But it depends on the child, though sometimes you have to make an "everyone" or "everyone who isn't at least _ years old" rule because the responsible child's peers do not understand.

But when I was a kid at recess in elementary school I would always play with sticks like Barbie dolls.... I didn't have much friends....
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Crystal 12:58 PM 04-30-2013
I saw this idea on pinterest and am going to do it....it may be a good way to allow children to "play" with sticks without it being a problem:


http://pinterest.com/pin/514606694891505141/
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Oneluckymom 01:06 PM 04-30-2013
Thanks for all the helpful comments and ideas. I love you guys !!
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youretooloud 01:20 PM 04-30-2013
Originally Posted by Crystal:
I saw this idea on pinterest and am going to do it....it may be a good way to allow children to "play" with sticks without it being a problem:


http://pinterest.com/pin/514606694891505141/
That's a neat idea! I will go up to the mountains and collect sticks for that project!
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Unregistered 06:05 AM 04-09-2014
Those sticks are adorable. We also use the little alphabet pasta and glue each child's name on a stick. And for Father's Day we sometimes use thing sticks, like willow, glued onto a piece of tagboard for a picture frame. Sometimes use little rocks too. Kids will search for hours to find the "pretty" rocks.
The frames are rustic and outdoorsy. Bunches of sticks on each side, however many a child wants to glue. All done outside, no mess
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Kimskiddos 06:20 AM 04-09-2014
My yard too generates a ton of sticks! I discourage it but there are so many so my rule is you have to be sitting down to play with sticks. Of course no using them as weapons or throwing them. This way they usually get bored with them pretty quickly.

After a wind storm we do collect them and put them in a pile for the trash.
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melskids 06:28 AM 04-09-2014
I do.
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Second Home 06:33 AM 04-09-2014
As a general rule no the dck don't play with sticks . But depending on who is here sometimes we do .

This winter we took a stick and drew pictures in the snow while waiting for the bus . But I knew that child could handle it without hitting me . If I had a different dck that morning there would have been no sticks as I just know there will be hitting .

Just yesterday dcg grabs a stick while leaving with her father , runs back up to my steps and starts hitting my flower pots with the stick . I told her she needed to stop hitting while dcd just watched .
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CraftyMom 06:34 AM 04-09-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
My DCK's are NOT allowed to play with sticks. EVER.

I love that!

I allow them to play within reason like the others posted.

My son since he was one has been fascinated with sticks. I have very few pics of him outside without a stick
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bklsmum 07:39 AM 04-09-2014
Originally Posted by rmc20021:
Sticks and rocks stay on the ground...leaves, grass, moss, bugs are all ok. Sticks can poke eyes and rocks usually end up getting thrown.
This is my policy as well.
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llpa 10:22 AM 04-09-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
My DCK's are NOT allowed to play with sticks. EVER.

... I feel like the dck can explore sticks at home. There are other natural items we explore all the time. I do have logs for them to carry, roll, stack etc that are short and about twice the diameter of a paper towel roll. Those are in the outside play yard.
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Josiegirl 10:44 AM 04-09-2014
Years and years ago a boy at our local school(grades 4-6) lost an eye due to a pencil being thrown in class.
I'm so on the fence with this type of question. I've seen kids allowed to run with lollipops in their mouth My dcks build pretend campfires and keep it pretty calm. It's wonderful to watch them all play together like that; it's teaching them many things such as teamwork, being careful, etc. If they start getting forgetful of safety rules, the sticks go away.
We have a large sandbox. What about playing with sand and kids throwing it? That's dangerous. I allow sandbox play and they only get one chance. If they throw sand they're out. With all those products of nature to play with, I allow most of it, just monitor, supervise and follow through with the rules very carefully and consistently. I mean, when ya think about it....look around your playroom and tell me you don't have items in there that could do damage.
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Jack Sprat 10:53 AM 04-09-2014
Originally Posted by SilverSabre25:
We're allowed I also consider them loose parts, and there are guidelines, as with everything else.

No throwing them.
No throwing them anywhere, not even straight up in the air.
No throwing them at the tree.
No throwing them in the air even if you didn't mean to hit the tree.
No using them to whack bugs off the tree.
No weapons
No fighting
No poking people.
No swinging. Even if it's a sword, because it's not a sword? Remember, no weapons. yes, swords are weapons. Yes, even if it's pretend.

I tend to wrap all those up into "Play softly and gently with the sticks" which works. Except for one particular child who needs to find ALL the limits and test them, haha. The "detailed" rules up there are all things I've said to him at one time or another.

Sometimes I decide one is too sharp/long/heavy/etc and take it away, but we mostly get the smallish ones. And I have some pieces of tree branch lying around for "campfires" and things of that nature. It's cute, really.

We find them and collect them on walks. We use them to build lots of things. This and rocks!
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Jack Sprat 10:55 AM 04-09-2014
Originally Posted by Josiegirl:
Years and years ago a boy at our local school(grades 4-6) lost an eye due to a pencil being thrown in class.
I'm so on the fence with this type of question. I've seen kids allowed to run with lollipops in their mouth My dcks build pretend campfires and keep it pretty calm. It's wonderful to watch them all play together like that; it's teaching them many things such as teamwork, being careful, etc. If they start getting forgetful of safety rules, the sticks go away.
We have a large sandbox. What about playing with sand and kids throwing it? That's dangerous. I allow sandbox play and they only get one chance. If they throw sand they're out. With all those products of nature to play with, I allow most of it, just monitor, supervise and follow through with the rules very carefully and consistently. I mean, when ya think about it....look around your playroom and tell me you don't have items in there that could do damage.

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DuchessRavenwaves 12:43 PM 04-09-2014
Originally Posted by youretooloud:
I hate that we are forced to sissiefy our kids. Heaven forbid they scrape a knee.
YES, so much this! One of my families has damn wiener kids because they get coddled.

I have LOTS of big sticks in my yard. My dcks love to use these sticks as weapons to slay the dragon/monster/whatever (a tree or bush), draw lines in the dirt, etc. They cannot remember not to swing them around, and they're not self-aware enough to watch out for each other or the one tiny dck I have. I hate to quash good play, but these kids will put someone's eye out eventually. No sticks. :/

...Stores should be putting out the summer stuff soon. Maybe I will buy some pool noodles and cut them down, and they can slay dragons with those. Somebody still might catch a stray noodle to the head, but at least it won't knock any eyeballs out!
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