How to have an open mind around an open flame.

Hey there, Play Warrior!

Summer is here. Nights feel longer, twilight lingers, and fireflies dance at dusk. All in all, there’s a little more time to gather ‘round a fire and make some memories.

So far this month, I’ve shared my go-to fire tips and tricks, and soon will send out my most delicious recipes for fireside snacks.

I'll walk you through my setup, safety protocol, and tools, and share our cohort's most loved recipes. We’ve already covered how to set up, and now we will tackle that ominous topic of FIRE SAFETY.

Stay calm and don’t panic. Fire circles are inviting places where so many beautiful memories and traditions are made. Ease into it with an open mind, and heart - let go of all that FEAR around children being near fire. We got this.

Fire Safety: Keep It Simple. There are only a few "rules" we keep around the fire, this is helpful for the children to feel a sense of independence, pride, and inclusion when there is a fire happening in our outdoor classroom.

• One Fire Tender - while many children may be able to throw sticks etc. into the fire at home, at programming there is only one fire tender. That is a teacher or adult. This person sets up the fire, lights it, tends it, and remains at it while we are using it for cooking. Fire Tenders communicate if they are leaving the fire circle and trade places with another adult who becomes the fire tender.

• Enter from the outside - Children are encouraged to walk around the outside of the fire circle (following that boundary rope mentioned last week) to the place they would like to sit, then, step over the bench/stool and sit. The same goes for leaving the fire circle. Children spin around and exit behind where they were seated, walking around outside the boundary string. Again, this takes practice, patience, and lots of loving reminders ... stick with it. This is one of those systems that took A LOT of fear out of having fast-moving children around an open fire.

• Help Wanted! Helpers are always welcome around a fire. Often, children want to help add particular “ingredients” or cut things on the makeshift table we have set up on the fireside. I am a “yes” teacher, so long as they ask a teacher first, children are welcome to help! Yes, our children always use tools like knives to cut butter, veggies, bread, etc. with a teacher present. This goes for building the fire as well, they help lay the “log cabin” of kindling, crumple newspaper, select dry pine cones, etc. This is a great way to build confidence and independence builder for littles.

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