Mudstock 2015! Pre-K Style!

This is my absolute favorite type of post to write. 

Pure P.L.A.Y.!!  

Pure J.O.Y.!!!

Crazy, messy, all out F.U.N.!!!

It's been raining, A LOT in the Midwest in recent weeks.  We have had flood after flood, and more rainy days stuck inside than I care to recall.  Today is wasn't raining!  It was still a muddy, wet mess, but we EMBRACED it, literally...we hugged the mud.  I usually post fun pictures while the play is happening on my various social media for all the mommas and daddies to enjoy, but this one was...well...a bit intimidating even for me!  

In all my years of experience and training, you wouldn't think images of muddy kids would scare me, but that's the one thing that still makes me cringe just a little.  Not for me, well...let's be really honest here.  I will absolutely allow messy play even while knowing it will take me TONS of time and effort to clean all the spots and smears from dirty bods and clothing.  I think we used an entire bottle of non-chlorine bleach and thank heaven for Oxi-Clean!  HA!!  

But, rather, it's knowing that there is always a parent out there that really isn't into all the over-the-top messy type play that science and research indicates is so good for kiddos.  

SO, in an effort to save that parent from a stroke while at work, I waited to post these until I sent all the cuties pies home cleaned up (mostly) and stains removed!! (again...mostly!!!)

Here it is.....  Mudstock 2015, Pre-K Style!!!

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Stomp, jump, splash, roll!

The boy crew was more than happy to engage in this full body sensory experience!

Taking a break and one happy dude!

How can they splash so high in an inch of water???

When their puddle was running a bit low, they decided to "refill" it from the water table....we shall call this "problem solving skills!"

Back for more!!

Ohhh....what will happen if I drive a truck through it??? "Investigation and inquiry"

I need leverage! How about using a swing to help me jump higher! "Discovering leverage."

Dragging the lower half through the puddles...

I NEVER want to stop!!!

Looks fun! My turn!!!

Full Body Sensory Immersion!

Even our bitiest was delighted with mud and water full body sensory immersion.  Yes...that makes it sound so official!!  "Full body sensory immersion!"  I meant to do that!  

In all seriousness, it is so amazing to watch them having such a ball and be so content with water and dirt.  

It really drives home the point that all children need is a willing adult to allow them to engage in the activities that they are naturally drawn to anyway.  

I also love the quote, "There is no bad weather, simply bad clothing."  At least, for us today...everything was washable, children included!

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There were no children harmed in the recording of this event!

Notice the absence of girls here???  I did too.  I invited them and encouraged to play.  They weren't interested.  They were happy enough to play in the clean water at the water table, but not the mud.  

Chalk it up to the differences between boys and girls?  Maybe.  Maybe another day it will be the other way around?  Today it was all boy, all in, all HAPPY!  

There are some fantastic articles about the power of mud play and allowing children to engage. 

This one at Let The Children Play.com is specific to mud play and the scientific research behind why it's beneficial.

This one at Parenting Science.com has a TON of great curriculum ideas for mud and science! Heheheheh!!!!!

 I agree 1000%!  Nature play makes children happy.  It lifts moods while creating strong childhood memories.  I love that those memories are happening here, at Woolsey Academy!

I wish you well and I hope you get to play today.

-L