When you work with kids, you know it’s going well when the janitor gets to deal with some mopped-up fun. That idea inspired this cartoon.
When I am leading large group activities on a Sunday morning, I smile when I realize the game is going to require blue tarps on the floor. I know the kids will get excited and the morning will be memorable. Bring on the rain ponchos, goggles, and a mop!
It Could Get Messy!
Seeing that we live in a tech-heavy world, messy play is more important than ever. Technology has a tendency to limit a child’s chance to experience happy accidents and discoveries. I like this article from schoolhouse-daycare.co.uk on 5 Reasons Why Messy Play is important.
Among the reasons are:
- It fosters curiosity, imagination, and exploration
- It good concentration and future skills
- And it promotes physical development
After all, messy play is unpredictable. Plus, it involves more of our senses. Tactile learners benefit from this type of play. And of course, it gets the adrenaline going when a child believes the mess could get out of control.
Who Made This Mess?
In addition, another benefit of messy play is when we require children to clean up the results, it teaches responsibility. Sure it may be inconvenient for parents and teachers. But instead of discouraging messy play, let’s encourage it with the understanding that we clean up our messes.
While my cartoon suggests the poor janitor has to clean up any messy endeavor, it is far better for everyone that leaders and children clean up our own messes.
Of course, that can be a challenge, when the preschoolers have a little too much fun making a delightful mess.
So as our kids get used to summer break, why not try some activities that will result in some mopped-up fun?
Editor’s Note: I originally published this blog on October 6, 2015. I revamped and updated it for timeliness and comprehensiveness.
