June 23rd, 2021

It's mucky not yucky!

Inspired by a recent edition of the MCCA "Bridges" magazine that featured the benefits and joys of mud play, the team of educators at Dawn and Dusk hosted our own day of dirt for the children.

With our mud kitchen supplies, a giant bag of fresh dirt, and a few jumbo pails of water we invited the kids to explore, feel, smell and get elbows deep in the mud. Each had their own container to fill and a watering can - from there it was all experience and experiments!

Initially, the kids were unsure if they were really, truly allowed to play in dirt! It took a little encouragement to really get them going, but once they realized not only did their parents give permission but even provided a change of clothes, they felt more comfortable with the  mud.

Some played "politely", ensuring the most minimal amount of dirt was getting on them. Until one looked at an educator, grinning, and said "I dare you to put your WHOLE hand in the mud!"
The educator went for it, of course! Using encouraging words like, "Oooh this feels so good! I like squishing it in my fingers!", the children looked on with wide eyes and we could hear murmurs of "we can put our whole hand in!"

Mud Day was such a success that even those with sensory or dirt issues found themselves lost in the fun of the uninhibited play. Children who initially looked at us and said "There's no way I'm doing that" wound up participating and having the most fun! 

Some even chose to make "coffee" and serve it to the educators haha!

High-fives all around for the first ever Mud Day at Dawn and Dusk!