A Little White...

...and a little more and -- a lot of time.  That's a snow day!  What a gift for learning!

                     " In every walk with nature one receives more than he seeks."--John Muir

Time for free play is wonderful "food" for the brain-- at home, in your backyard or on the playground.

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Practice your spatial skills. Practice motor skills--rolling, lifting, shoveling.

Navigate the social world.  Collaborate, take turns, and share!

Learn cause and effect.  Three snowballs need to balance just right!

Make something new--a mouse trap?!  Creativity needs space--without the limits of perfectionism or one right answer.

The playground is a place for problem solving.  What happens when you walk in deep snow?

Unstructured play provides opportunities to develop empathy. Montessori children call that "walking in someone else's shoes--or boots."

Play happens indoors as well.

Working together to create No Ends structures provides endless problem solving,

                                    

                    divergent thinking, creative ideas,

                    and negotiating...

...until the finishing touches are just right!

Time for unstructured play reduces stress, improves concentration, and allows the brain to be available for learning. Everyone needs recess every day!

Read more about the importance of mindfulness in childhood in Mindful Parenting by Kristin Race
"Mindfulness is an exercise in paying attention to the here and now, something that in modern times is incredibly hard to do.   ...practicing mindfulness doesn't just lead to decreased stress and increased pleasure in parenting, but also brings profound benefits to kids."