5 Reasons you Should Let your Kids Play in the Mud

Letting your children play in the mud is more common now than it was in earlier years. Many parents were often reluctant to let their children get dirty and play in the mud, however; times have changed and so have many views of parents. Playing in the mud is now recognized as a creative way of learning because of a large number of new opportunities during mud play. Years ago there were kitchens called ‘mud kitchens” and this was great for letting children explore and also develop their imagination. Mud Kitchens can be very basic and just consist of bowls and spoons. In addition, these kitchens can always be extended by purchasing a ready-made wooden mud kitchen or having someone make you a mud kitchen. You can design the mud kitchen you want by adding shelves, work areas and various compartments for kids to place their pans in.

Kids have quite a bit of fun playing with mud. They develop their creative abilities and also use their imaginations while pretending to play with invisible people. Children consider mud as another resourceful tool to help them learn new skills.

5 Reasons why Mud play, should be encouraged in early years settings

• Develops children’s sensory skills

When children touch mud and feel the texture of it, whether it’s wet or dry, this can develop their sensory skills. Sensory play is critical in helping the brain development as it connects nerves together which in turn helps to learn.

• Connecting with Nature

When children explore mud, this brings them closer to connecting with nature. This is a good way to keep your kids away from the growing addiction to electronic toys and devices.  Mud play is a good resource where children can get real hands involved in new learning opportunities. This also helps children learn some important life skills. Kids also learn about new and different plants and animals and bugs as they experiment digging their way through the mud.

• Learning science concepts

When kids are happily experimenting with the texture and consistency of mud, what would happen if they add water and more dirt to their bowl? Children observe what happens when they add water and more dirt and are learning about how this works on a scientific concept. Children then begin to develop their own ideas and start to use their problem-solving skills to help achieve their tiny goals.

• Building on imagination skills

Playing with mud stimulates the imagination of children. This teaches them to think of new ideas and role-play different scenarios. Children will also use role play as a way of also developing their social and emotional skills. Children that start digging in the mud and filling up their saucepans start to learn how to reflect on their own play and start using their language skills to talk about what they are doing. This also will help them develop their imaginations.

• Developing children’s language and communication skills

As children continue to communicate with their peers they are building and developing vital skills. When children play with mud, they exchange ideas and share conversations with each other. This is also an opportunity for adults to ask open-ended questions that give children the opportunity to respond with longer answers.

International Mud Day was June 29th, 2018

No matter if it rains or not, your kids will want to play outside! And when this happens, mud will get everywhere around the house if you are not being careful. Every parent will agree that only bad things can happen if you let your little ones play in the mud. But the people who invented International Mud Day are here to prove you wrong! They believe that playing and sometimes simply being outdoors where there’s fresh air is very beneficial for kids and adults both. This is the place where children get most exercise, run around and waste their energy. It is also proven that coming in contact with some bacteria can be beneficial because it helps strengthen our immune systems. If you keep your child at home all the time and set a lot of rules for them, it may make them more vulnerable. Do you remember the times when you needed some stress relief so you went to the spa and got a mud mask?

The history of International Mud Day

Of all of the different ways you can celebrate this day, getting dirty is the right way to do it! One of the best memories everyone has from their childhood is not having a care in the world and exploring different ways you can have fun. Children love making arts and crafts, so the most creative way to celebrate this day will be to help them make some sculptures out of mud or maybe prepare a mud dish in their pretend kitchen outdoors. Just take some of their plastic kitchen supplies and start having some fun! The best part is that all of these activities are totally free. Another great idea is filling up that summer blow-up pool with plenty of mud and watch them have the time of their lives. Just remember to dress them in some old clothes and be ready to throw them after they finish playing.

Every child should be able to make mud pies, chase grasshoppers, follow a water bug, look for tadpoles and frogs, pick berries pet animals, jump in the hay, visit a farm, gather pine cones, play in the sand, view a snake and collect some rocks. This is what kids do and you wouldn’t want to deprive them of all the simple things in life that happen in the great outdoors!