Have you had a rock collection, a jar of fireflies, a bouquet of dandelions, or a pocket full of shells from the beach? Hunting and gathering is one of the seven play motifs, or recurring play patterns, that David Sobel has identified from observing children around the world playing freely outdoors.
“From a genetic perspective, we are still hunting and gathering organisms. Gathering and collecting anything compels us; searching for hidden treasure or the Holy Grail is a recurrent mythic form. Look at the success of Where’s Waldo. How do we design learning opportunities like treasure hunts?”
–Childhood and Nature: Design Principles for Educators by David Sobel
To foster these gathering instincts in children’s play, try providing a small basket, bucket, or other collecting container. Or make your own! You can make a simple leaf basket by folding together one side of a leaf (easiest to fold maple lobes) and sticking the leaf stem (or a small twig) through the folded part. Leaf baskets are best for light collections – flower heads, seeds, berries… what will you collect?!
