Mud Play....

 

Mud and soil is something wonderful to be available to children in large quantities and it is great to see how the changing elements of the season change the way children relate to it. 

Offer opportunities such as: 

• Wet Mud
• Dry mud
• Transporting mud to different places
• Mark making with mud
• Combine different loose parts with mud such as flower petals, pebbles and leaves
• Role play cooking with mud
• Muddy slopes and slides to move down
• Explore the texture of mud 

The benefits of playing in mud:

• Therapeutic
• Great sensory experience
• Connection with nature
• Builds fine and gross motor skills
• Encourages creativity
• Builds problem solving skills
• Increases emotional development - scientific studies show that mud contains bacteria called 'Mycobacterium Vaccae' which increases serotonin in our brains. This helps to create Happy, relaxed, calm moods.
• Builds the immune system - dirty kids are healthier kids! 

This is a great article on how mud play can boost the immune system : 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20220929-how-outdoor-play-boosts-kids-immune-systems

What is your opinion on children playing in the mud? Are you happy to let them play ...or are you inconvenienced by the clean up afterwards ??