This evening I sat my kids down, and asked them how they go about climbing a tree. This is what they told me …
1. First they SEE a tree that might be good for climbing
2. They THINK and decide if it is a good tree for climbing
3. They PLAN how they will tackle the first bit (my daughter said she plans it in eighths)
4. They DO the first bit that they had planned.
5. They then told me they repeat the process, until they get to the ultimate point they wanted to reach, or get stuck.
6. They then PLAN how to get unstuck or down
7. They then DO the unsticking (their words not mine!)
8. They repeat the process until down or stuck again
9. If all else fails call Dad
10. They also told me it is easier if you work as a team
Put this into adult language and you have Assess – Plan – Implement – Evaluate probably the most fundamental of all management models. Add in the teamwork, and knowing when to refer to a higher authority and the kids are starting to sound like they have Management Theory nailed. So the next time you watch a kid climb a tree, sit back and enjoy it – you are watching the fundamentals of management theory at work!
69 comments
Love this! One of the most natural kids activities and so much life-skills education without them knowing it. Nature rocks.
It really does :)
Wow, this is brilliant!! I have a regular tree climber (I’ve blogged about it a bit!) and I’ve never thought to apply this theory to what he’s doing. He loves climbing anything and, from now on, I’ll be encouraging him all the more!
Forgot #brillblogposts!
Tree climbing is fab for their brain development according to the experts – even if it is a bit hairy for us Mums sometimes :)
That’s brilliant, I didn’t think there was much thought behind climbing a tree! #BrillBlogPosts
It really is amazing how kids work things out isn’t it?
hehe! throwback to when i was a kid! I miss those days
http://www.mycitymylondon.me
me too – everything was much simpler back then :)
This is amazing – so many fabulous life skills! I think I should climb a few trees :) #brillblogposts
lol, me too Charlene :)
Great post! Love your ‘outdoor’ classroom xx
Thanks for joining us for #letslearn I hope to see you next week. X
Thank you, and we’d love to link up again :)
That’s a really interesting way to think about how climbing trees work and I guess you can apply this to a variety of kids play ideas. A fantastic insight into kids play. Thanks so much for linking up to #Whatevertheweather x
I’m sure you’re right Jenny, Kids can be really logical (when they choose!). Thanks for having us x
You’re so true! It reminds me of climbing trees when I was myself a kid.
#Whatevertheweather
It’s amazing how they think isn’t it :)
What a fresh way of looking at such a simple activity, love this #letslearn
Isn’t it Laura, makes you realise how important play really is for kids. I read a really interesting article about the purpose of den building – that was a fascinating insight into kid’s thought processes too!
I think this explains why I’ve always been completely rubbish at climbing trees! #whatevertheweather
I cant say I remember climbing trees that much as a kid, although I do remember climbing on to a lot of shed roofs, which I guess fulfilled the same need :)
Never thought about it like that. You can learn so much from children! #whatevertheweather
We forget what its like to be learning and developing all the time, no wonder its more fun being a kid!
Love this. Something so simple that we take for granted is such a fantastic learning experience #whatevertheweather
It really puts kids learning into perspective doesn’t it – they need to be out trying and doing things :)
Brilliant! Climbing trees is a life skill :-)
Clare x
It really is! Thanks for visiting us, Claire :)
My kids love to climb trees too. I think it’s great to be outdoors as much as possible and do the things that we all enjoyed when we were kids. Sarah #WHateverTheWeather
It’s lovely isn’t it watching the kids enjoy the same things we did – really reminds you about the joy of simple things :)
It’s so interesting putting it into this model. I think a lot of things are children do can be put into this. I used to love climbing trees, and can’t wait till Evie is old enough to start exploring them.
I agree Chloe, makes you wonder why adults sometimes struggle with these models when children embrace them so naturally :)
Calling back again from #CountryKids, and still loving this post!
Thanks Cal, glad you love it :)
Love it! So true, we could learn so much from our children. Climbing trees can teaches loads more than we realise. They have explained it brilliantly too! #CountryKids
It’s fascinating isn’t it? They have so much more purpose behind what they are doing then we realise :)
I never thought of it like that. Thanks.
I read a really interesting article about the psychology behind den building the other day Kellie – it seems the is so much more behind kids play than we realise – it’s fascinating :)
wow.. my brother was always found in the biggest tree when we were growing up.. now he did break his leg once and arm once falling.. but would always be found climbing.. i love your tree climbing approach x
Thanks Jolene, sounds like your brother must have given you all a few hairy moments :)
What a fab post. I always underestimate how much my children know and how their little minds work x
I’m always astonished at what mine know – kids really do have amazing brains :)
I have never climbed a tree before so I never thought about these things. I wonder if my kids will be interested in climbing trees. They do a lot of climbing these days and they are still toddlers.
Most the kids I know seem to, given the chance – sounds like yours are already practising :)
Love this post! I saw a do not climb the tree sign on a perfect climbing tree today. So many H&S rules. Good to see children enjoying risky play. #CountryKids
Thanks Anna. Such a shame to see a sign like that, bet the person who had it put up has never even climbed one!
I had never really thought about this before, but you are right. It is incredible the way there brains work, training them for adult life xx
Have to admit I was amazed at how articulate the kids were explaining their actions. I suppose they are used to learning processes all the time, so just apply them naturally :)
Im use to be scared from ghost before haha so I climbed tress and yes its like a base where no one can catch me. #countrykids
Isn’t it interesting that we feel safe up trees – there’s something so special about them :)
Just brilliant! Plus you can add strengthening & co-ordination, appreciating nature & beauty, use of imagination. … We could go on!
Definitely – natural play really is the best sort :)
Some of our perfect park days are simply climbing trees. Simple pleasures but it truly shows you the power and imagination involved in play!
Absolutely, shows how important play really is :)
That is the best explanation of APIE I have ever read! And I’ve read a few lol. I love the way they think although as a boring adult I would plan how to get down before I got up! #CountryKids
I’m the same lol, too used to being a sensible adult now – wish I still thought like a kid!
Wish my daughter would work it out she often gets stuck!!!
Oh bless her – guess that shows she likes to push herself :)
It’s funny to see how children see things, sometimes so differently to the way we do but in principle it is just the same
It’s fascinating isn’t it, Sarah. And it goes to show how important play is for them :)
I love that they have this quite detailed plan about something so simple. I’ve not once climbed a tree and don’t think I’ll be starting any time soon.
Have to admit it’s been a while since I last climbed a tree – think I’d probably over analyse it now :)
I Love this analysis. You have really identified why every child should be climbing a tree. They are always a feature of our walks and usually the highlight. Next time i shall be asking my son to tell me what he is doing & how he’s feeling Thank you for the inspiration. #countrykids
Thank you for your kind comment Lynda. It’s lovely how kids are constantly learning while they are doing isn’t it :)
We should turn to kids for our answers more often! I think if I asked mine they would say the same as yours and I love to watch them helping each other up a tree, it is definitely team work.
Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids
I agree Fiona – they say that kids are much better at thinking around problems compared to adults, I guess we get bogged down with habit and convention as we get older :)
Nice one. All those skills in a simple fun act.
Makes you realise how important playing is for kids :)
I love this!! It’s the simplest of things for kids to want to do but you never really stop and think about what’s happening in their brains as they’re doing it.
Truly brilliant as always.x
Thanks Gemma. I was actually planning a different post, but when they started telling me about it I thought it was fascinating – kid’s brains really are amazing :)