What an adventure that family went on to find a bear.

Outdoor activities are an important part of your child’s development as they promote emotional health benefits, such as self-confidence and the ability to assess risks.

We love playing outdoors, especially in the mud kitchen out in the garden. Playing in the mud is not only a soothing sensory experience but also helps develop positive dispositions. This is a space for children to retreat to for some time alone or to play with peers co-operating, communicating, negotiating and sharing.

Mud play stimulates children’s imagination as they are thinking of new ideas and role play scenarios. Children will use role play as a way of also developing their social and emotional understanding. As children are digging in the mud filling up their saucepans they will be reflecting on their own play and talking about what they are doing.

Don’t be afraid to introduce real kitchen implements and resources to encourage small world play.