12/18/2024
I remember when I worked in an centre years ago, I was damn near disciplined for “allowing children to play and sit in a puddle” during a very rainy day
The reasoning? Because then then the other teachers had to deal with the dirty children… instead of playing in the mud, exploding puddles and splashing around, the children were taken on what I can only describe as military walks around the neighbourhood to “tire them out” so they would nap
Behaviours were through the roof, and children were miserable and showing it by “acting out”
Personally, I never understood. What was the big deal about letting children splash around and play in the mud; at the end of the day, was anyone going to get hurt? Was the dirt somehow going to harm us? Didn’t we do cleanup anyways after lunch, including sweeping and mopping? And was anyone going to die if we didn’t stick to the strict regiment and schedule laid out by the center?
Words cannot begin to describe how wonderful it is to have the freedom to let children get as dirty as they want and play in the mud. Yes, I am testing the limit of my washing machine, but guess what? At the end of the day that can always be replaced; the absolute joy and experiences that these children get from splashing around and getting as filthy as possible is something that we cannot put a dollar value to
I am also equally grateful that the educators who I have the privilege of hiring and working with also value the importance of playing in the mud. If anything, I think we get just as dirty as they do!
Here’s to mud, thick, beautiful, glorious, dirty mud!
