Explorations Early Learning

Promoting play, defending childhood, and empowering caregivers.

Explorations Early Learning


Managing Mud Play

Managing Mud Play

Description

Slimy, sticky, dirty, gooey mud play is so messy…and so fun and learning-rich. This session looks at why adults shouldn’t shy away from offering it up as a regular part of the curriculum. We focus on the magnificence of mud play–setting it up, supporting it, and understanding all the learning it offers.

Outcomes / Goals

Attendees will:

  • Gain practical ideas for setting up and managing mud play
  • Understand the learning that takes place during mud and related messy hands-on sensory play.
  • Learn why such play shouldn’t just be a once-in-a-while activity

Competency Area

  • Alabama | Learning Experiences And Enrichment / Child Development
  • Illinois | Curriculum Or Program Design
  • Michigan | Teaching And Learning
  • Missouri | Use A Broad Repertoire Of Teaching Skills And Strategies For Learning
  • Nebraska | Planning Learning Experiences And Curriculum
  • Oklahoma | Learning Environments And Curriculum
  • South Dakota | Learning Environments
  • Wisconsin | Learning Experiences, Strategies, And Curriculum
  • CDA | Advancing Children’s Physical And Intellectual Development

Clock Hours

Available in 60 and 90-minute formats

Agenda 

This is the breakdown for the 60-minute version of the session:

TopicTimeActivity
Introduction05 minutesMonologue
Managing Mud Play30 minutesDiscussion / Demonstration
Mud Play Learning20 minutesDiscussion
Conclusion05 minutesMonologue

Related Resources

This session is based in part on content from these sources (affiliate links):

  • Let Them Play
  • Let’s Play
  • Let’s All Play

Content Level

Beginner / Intermediate

Age Group Focus

  • Toddlers (12 months to 36 months)
  • Preschool (36 months to 5 years)
  • School Age (5 years to 12 years)
  • Adults

Target Audience

  • Family Child Care Providers
  • Child Care Center Teachers
  • Child Care Center Directors
  • Head Start Teachers
  • Head Start Administrators
  • Early Head Start Teachers
  • Service Coordination Staff
  • Technical Assistance Specialists
  • Home Visitors
  • Parents