Photo by Peter Harrison
The following is a guest post by Rachel Martin, my lovely Irish sister-in-law--enjoy!
Last week I had my son’s friend over for a play date. All was going well with these two bustling, busy two-year-olds--until we started heading towards nap time. Tension was building, their patience for sharing was quickly wearing thin, and they both wanted the same toy.
What to do? I needed an activity they could work on together and a place where I could keep an eye on them both (my eight-month-old needed feeding).
The solution? A plastic box with washing up liquid and some funnels…so simple!
The result? Sounds of splashing water and mischievous boys playing alongside one another contentedly.
Messy play can be anything from a plastic container with water to a box with oats and lentils. It doesn’t matter what medium you use, the benefits are invaluable. Children learn best through exploration and messy play is a key tool in the learning process.
After all, play is a child's work.
Here are some ideas for messy materials you can use in your home. Bury some treasures and get your kids to find them or let older preschoolers write or draw in the mess.
• Sand
• Cornflour and water
• Pasta
• Lentils
• Porridge--cold or cooked
• Rice
• Hay
• Shredded paper
• Paper mache
• Custard
And check out the many benefits of messy play:
• Entertains for hours
• Allows children to play together
• Less structured
• Helps children relax
• Provides Stress relief
• Stimulates senses
• Develops hand-eye coordination
So why not make plans for a
day soon when the weather is fine and have a messy morning--your kids will love you for it!
**What is your
children's favorite messy play material?**
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Rachel is the mother to two young children, ages two and one. Formerly an elementary school teacher, she now weaves her teaching skills into the daily life of her family and local community. Rachel's priority is to squeeze the most enjoyment into every day, live full, and die empty!
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