How can we bring books to life? For young children, using their imagination to engage with stories is a crucial part of their emotional and social development. Creating an immersive experience that uses books as a starting point for exploration can enhance their understanding of a story, inspire creativity and grow empathy.
At Berkhamsted Pre-Prep, a co-educational independent day school in Hertfordshire, play and experiential learning are key components of pupils’ holistic development. Stepping Stones pupils (starting at age three) recently embarked on a ‘Stick Man trail’ through Berkhamsted’s expansive woodland area in an enriching combination of play and outdoor learning.
The trail was based on Julia Donaldson’s well-loved book Stick Man – a festive classic which follows Stick Man’s journey back home to his family tree. The book itself is a feast for young pupils’ imaginations and includes escapades through rivers (Stick Man is unfortunately mistaken for a Pooh Stick), encounters with swans and dogs, a brief foray at the beach, and finally a meeting with Father Christmas.
Having read and discussed the book in the classroom, these adventures were then brought to life in Berkhamsted’s woodlands, giving pupils the opportunity to put themselves, literally, in Stick Man’s shoes. A real dog, a not-so-real swan, a sandpit beach and even a snow machine transformed each stop along the trail into a scene lifted straight from the picture book.
At each stage of the trail, pupils were encouraged to make connections between their experience and Donaldson’s book: ‘Where does Stick Man go next?’ ‘How does Stick Man feel now?’ This allowed them to practise empathy and expand their imaginations, making links between the fictional and sensory worlds. Using this sort of creative thinking at an early age helps develop essential tools for problem-solving and communication that are drawn on throughout life.
Pupils benefited from the trail’s open-air setting, running ahead and exploring each scene from different angles. A wooden bridge (for playing Pooh Sticks) crossing their path challenged their motor skills and encouraged them to take risks as they faced it one by one. They also performed songs at each stop, expressing themselves freely with ‘outside’ voices, without being overwhelmed by a formal ‘performance’ setting.
The magical winter walk concluded with hot chocolate around a campfire and a surprise visit from Father Christmas himself. The delighted pupils chose to sing ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ for their guest, demonstrating confidence and curiosity in their interactions. From start to finish, the trail sparked pupils’ imaginations and enhanced their understanding of Donaldson’s book. Plus, so much festive fun that pupils did not even realise they were learning!
Berkhamsted Pre-Prep puts a high value on play and outdoor learning all year round. Resilience, confidence and independence are nurtured through experiential learning and risk-taking. ‘For every moment that on the surface looks like play, we have a carefully constructed approach for the development of each child,’ says Debbie Cooper, Head of Stepping Stones.
At the early stages of education, this often looks like symbolic role play and imitation; children are encouraged to dress up for events like World Book Day and imagine how their character might act or move. Berkhamsted Prep and Pre-Prep also recognises ‘International Day of Play’ each year, switching classroom lessons for games in an acknowledgement of its benefits. Through play, pupils are empowered to make sense of the world around them and learn to navigate their place within it.