portage-messy-play

Messy play –stage threeAimTo confidently explore wet and stickymaterialsWhat you will needCornflour in a tray, lolly sticks, twigs, toycutleryWords you can use during playNames of objectsCornflour, stick, twig, knife, fork, spoonAction wordsFeeling, touching, pressing, looking,cutting, squeezing, drawing, pulling,pushing, swirling, falling, dripping,grabbing, letting go, dribblingDescriptive wordsSlippery, wet, shiny, smooth, warm,cold, squashy, squishy, fast, slow, soft,hard, sticky, messy, funny, pattern,gone, disappear, moreSteps along the way (remember,this may take many weeks)Step one – your child watches youexplore the textureStep two – your child holds your armwhile you explore the textureStep three – your child directs yourhand to explore the textureStep four – your child uses a tool toexplore the texture on their ownStep five – your child uses their ownfingers to explore the texture on their ownStep six – your child uses their wholehands to explore the texture on their ownWhat to doShow the child the materials and howto use them. Use simple languagesuch as ‘make pattern’, ‘fingers sticky’,‘drip drip’, ‘watch me’, ‘all gone’ and‘take more’. Encourage your child tojoin in. Never force the child to touchthe textures, but follow steps along theway. Go at the child’s pace. Finish theactivity before the child loses interestor gets distressed.To make the activity easier• Do not rush through the steps.• Use a small tray.• Get brothers and sisters involved.To make the activity harder• Only use hands, and use both hands.• Use a larger tray and add colour.• Increase the number of otherchildren involved.Other activities you could try• Making faces on paper plates ora collage using different textures• Using fingers instead of gluespreaders• Putting foam in a tray• Cooking activities(for example, making fairy cakes)• Mixing paint with sand and glitter