I remember when I was in elementary school and a boy threw a rock on the sidewalk and it bounced up and cracked a girl in the head and really injured her badly. I let my kid play with rocks and sticks, but the image of this girl getting hurt has stuck with me for so long and I always catch myself freaking out if I see him throw a rock.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It will be a sad day when children aren't allowed to play with rocks and sticks. Of course it's okay for your child to play! Childhood happens once!

When my DD was in elementary school, one day I stayed chatting with her and her friends before the morning announcements, and the kids were running around. A teacher came over and told them there was no running. I was like "Really? They're outside and school hasn't started yet? When and where better to run?"

I have taught at 2 different schools and both had a no running on the playground equipment rule.

I'm the same as you, OP. I feel that my kids should be able to play with these things (although I wouldn't let them throw rocks at all unless into the water at a creek/lake). I watch closely to make sure they don't use them in a way that could hurt others, but I feel it's good to play with natural materials. I've often seen other parents yell at kids for playing with sticks in particular, and I feel in an awkward position. If we're at the park with friends who have this rule, I usually tell my kids to steer away from these objects because their friends aren't supposed to play with them, but otherwise, I let them do it. Yes, it's odd sometimes when others are told not to. Oh well.

I feel the same way about the issue of whether or not kids can climb up slides or should only go down them...

My kids preschool doesn't let them play with sticks. Maybe this parent is following suit

Our rule is sticks & rocks are okay. No throwing them, poking at people etc. No running with large sticks and not too close to small children.

I agree it's awkward when parents have differing rules in a public space. As long as kids are playing nicely I am fine. I tell my kids adults sometimes have different rules and they need to listen to theirs.

Oh for god's sake. This is what a child is supposed to do.

I would lose ZERO sleep about another parent judging me in allowing this.

Zero.