Subject - International Mud Day!
Collated by Sarah Neville / Knutsford Childminding
In preparation for International Mud Day on 29th June members of #EYTalking discuss all things muddy.
International Mud Day was launched at a conference attended by #EYTalking in Hawaii -
http://www.worldforumfoundation.org/working-groups/nature/international-mud-day/. Sadly #EYTalking did not invite me to travel with her. I could have helped to carry her bags.
Shonette Bason @ShonetteBason reminds us that International Mud Day says it’s ok to enjoy nature in this over sterile world.
Mud day inspiration from various websites posted by #EYTalking -
· Here is some information from Jan White - http://janwhitenaturalplay.wordpress.com/tag/international-mud-day/
· Blog from Play England -
http://loveoutdoorplay.net/2012/06/29/today-is-international-mud-day-2012/
· Images on Pinterest -
http://pinterest.com/playbasedclssrm/international-mud-day/
· And more here -
http://pinterest.com/gigglingworm/international-mud-day/
· International Mud Day photos on Flickr -
http://www.flickr.com/groups/international-mud-day-2012/
· Blog from Laura Childcare -
http://laurachildcare.wordpress.com/2012/06/27/international-mud-day-2012/
Links to the EYFS
EYTalking @EYTalking comment that muddy play covers all seven areas of the early learning goals & the three characteristic of effective teaching & learning. Let’s look at the areas of learning and how you can link continuous provision muddy play with them -
PSED -
Children play together, share, learn from each other and explore their emotions through muddy and messy play experiences.
Simona McKenzie - Mud is also excellent for sensory play and language development squeezing dripping oozing!
Physical -
Children use their fine and gross motor skills; they learn about hand washing and how to keep themselves safe during their play.
Communication and language -
Children talk to each other, sharing ideas and collaborating. They listen to instructions and cooperate as part of a group.
Literacy -
Shonette Bason - a favourite story in her provision is ‘One duck in a truck’ @JezAlborough
Simona McKenzie - ‘We are going on a bear hunt’ by @MichaelRosen! Thick oozy mud!! #squelch
Maths -
There are lots of opportunities to include numbers, shapes, sizes, capacity, patterns, measuring, weight and other mathematical learning in games. Resources can be provided to enhance experiences such as buckets and weighing scales.
H - Out teaching in the school's woodland classroom this afternoon! Comparing, sorting, measuring sticks in various ways
Understanding the world -
EYTalking - Many, many, many early science opportunities!
Art and design -
Shonette Bason - instead of a dough disco have a mud mash up to the Mud song 'Tiger Feet'!!
EYTalking @EYTalking - Singing 'Mud Glorious Mud!' to the tune of 'Food Glorious Food'
EYTalking reminded us that children are more likely to direct their own play when outside because there are less boundaries to their imaginations.
The characteristics and links to muddy play include -
Clare Bailey @Clarelouisebod - muddy play helps to develop essential thinking skills.
Children concentrate for longer periods when they are engaged in activities they enjoy - and outside messy play taps into their schemas and learning styles (as noted by #EYTalking).
Boys and girls can benefit from muddy play - but it is often the boys you see huddled around the digging area! This article from Teaching Expertise posted by Clare Bailey explains what boys (in particular) are learning -
http://www.teachingexpertise.com/e-bulletins/getting-it-right-boys-early-years
Barriers to muddy play
As Knutsford Childminding stated, the most common barrier to messy or muddy play is parents perceptions of what their child should be doing / learning while with you. Some ways to overcome this were suggested -
· Knutsford Childminding - Speak to parents at induction and explain your views clearly about both daily outside play and children’s enjoyment of messy play experiences.
· June O'Sullivan @JuneOSullivan - I call it the pedagogical conversation. Use it to improve learning bridge between home& setting
· EYTalking @EYTalking - Yes, when they start outdoor play woven into your values.
· Clare Bailey @Clarelouisebod - share photos with parents to help explain your philosophy and what children are learning - http://www.muddyfaces.co.uk/mud_kitchens.php
· EYTalking - More images here -
http://www.empoweredbyplay.org/2012/07/international-mud-day/
· Clare Bailey - Lots of outdoor play sharing on the Elizabeth Jarman website.
· Sparrows Childcare @SparrowsNursery agrees and reminds us that outdoor play is the best! The more a child can play & explore outside the better. This is the message we need to get out to parents in all our literature and documentation we share with them.
Contributors agree that the provision of appropriate clothing is essential -
· Clare Bailey @Clarelouisebod - Quite a few of my parents have shopped at Muddy Puddles for outdoor wear
· Clare Bailey @Clarelouisebod - Make it clear to parents when they start that their child will get dirty. Recommend old clothes & overalls
· Simona McKenzie @signoramac - All in one plastic jumpsuits??? Someone is bound to come up with the idea
· EYTalking @EYTalking - Provide a change of clothes and explain the benefits and rationale of International Mud Day.
· Simona McKenzie @signoramac - appropriate clothing such as old clothes and coveralls = problem solved for cold weather. If it is warm just put children in shorts and allow them the experience a mud bath then hose down!
However, EYTalking reminds us that it is very important to listen to parents’ concerns and reassure them - we need to be aware of different parent cultural views on 'mud' & their own experiences. Mud can mean dirt and poverty to some families.
Ideas for planning and extending muddy play experiences
· Sandra Brouet @earlyyearscpd suggests that we all create an outdoor classroom to support delivery along themes such as engaging children to explore nature, supporting messy play xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx here are some more ideas...
· @EYFS_lancs - Mud handprints and footprints, tell stories about bugs, dig up worms, create a mud kitchen with the children - there are endless possibilities!
· Karen Barr - we have just created a mud kitchen with an old cooker and microwave too. The kids and staff love it :-)
· Charlotte Teviotdale - we've had a mud kitchen for the last 2 yrs and it is still as popular now as when we first opened it.
· Rachel mcclary - reminds us that making the mud is an activity in itself - http://rightfromthestart.wordpress.com/2013/03/23/outdoor-play-making-muddy-footprints-isnt-always-easy/
· Shonette Bason @ShonetteBason - I love it when our children make chocolate cakes from mud and water and sticks!! Shonette shared her muddy play with the group - https://twitter.com/ShonetteBason/status/347066531198402560/photo/1
· Lincs Montessori @LincsMont - subscribers to Nursery World will be able to view Lincs Montessori’s article about muddy play on the website in the article ‘EYFS Best Practice: All about ... Joyful learning’
· Shonette Bason @ShonetteBason - to make mud models mix a mud paste with soap flakes that have been dissolved. Leave over night then turn out!!
· Kathy Brodie @kathybrodie - Fab idea. I was using soap flakes on Saturday, the practitioners loved them! And generally gentler on the hands. I love them. Its surprising how many nurseries don't use them yet.
· Clare Bailey @Clarelouisebod - My 2 year olds enjoy & take time mixing water and soil - you have to get the 'right' consistency
· Sarah Green @SarahSarahg66 - I can see us just about managing a tough spot with compost and water unless the weather obliges!!
· Sparrows Childcare @Clarelouisebod - I remember making pinch pots from clay in my garden when I was a kid - my house was built on old brick field
· Natalie Hewitt - mud and magic potions from @coolcanvas - https://twitter.com/coolcanvas/status/329691674836086786/photo/1
· Lorna Walter - Two children + Mud + Trikes = Chocolate Machine! Enjoy -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhZi5kYr_I4
More messy play and outside play ideas -
· Shonette Bason @ShonetteBason - We don't have any mud but a water slide with soil thrown on?? Recipe for a MUD SLIDE? However, before following this idea, Shonette adds a word of caution - I did not get 'outstanding' once as my outdoor slide was too muddy!
· Jenny Barber - the company Timotay for amazing outdoor play structures
· Kathy Brodie - Soap flakes which are basically grated soap - you can buy them in the washing powder aisle and they make thick, creamy bubbles.
· EYTalking - Bury a range of objects in the ground and using a metal detector to find. *exciting* -> Heidi Echternacht - Most interesting/strange things I've discovered about UK classrooms is the widespread use of metal detectors
· Shonette Bason @ShonetteBason - If you add those tall plastic glass to the mud table, straws and stirrers ... It's the mud milkshake shack!
· Shonette Bason @ShonetteBason - on International mud day why not have a muddy picnic? Chocolate milk, chocolate spread sandwiches and ... Chocolate custard!
· EYTalking - Great idea on a Saturday this year and invite parents & your local community!
#EYTalking - the next @WorldForumECE in Puerto Rico May 2014 - http://www.worldforumfoundation.org/get-involved-2/2014-world-forum/.
Thank you all for sharing and connecting! It was mudulicious! Don't forget to share photographs, stories etc of your International Mud Day celebrations!