“Jeff, could those be bear tracks!?”

“They could be, Jack.” (They were definitely not bear tracks.)

“I better get a stick!”

“I need one too, Hunter”

“Here, Jack. I got you one too, Maddie.”

“What’s with the sticks?” I ask.

“To protect you,” says Maddie

“From the bear,” adds Jack.

“I’ll whack it on the nose if it attacks,” Hunter declares.

Our walk through the neighborhood continued with the three would-be heroes on high alert. They spotted a shy cat sunning on a porch, a nervous rabbit under a spirea bush, and a chattering squirrel in a maple tree, but no bear.

Alarming Bear Tracks Wrap Up

Bear-related play went on for days. There were bear drawings and bear stories. Much bear-related information was exchanged–including an unconfirmed bear sighting near the sandbox. The kids said sticks were mandatory on all walks for the next week just in case a bear attacked. We had to be prepared.

About those bear tracks. Jack noticed some damaged sidewalk where a huge tree branch had fallen during a thunderstorm years before he was born. He’d walked past it dozens and dozens of times, but on that day, he had bears on his mind and raised the alarm, which led to hours and hours of play for him and his peers. Play grows from children’s experiences, interests, imaginations, and knowledge of the world. Learning grows from play. The caregiver’s job is to support the play and ensure everyone’s health and safety.

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