portage-messy-play

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What is messy play?All children learn through play. Thereare many different sorts of play. Messyplay is a fun and interesting way forchildren to explore and learn aboutthe world around them.A wide range of materials can be usedfor messy play, including:• paint;• play dough;• water;• sand;• pasta;• rice;• bubbles;• shaving foam;• jelly;• baby oil or lotion;• paper; and• cornflour.We may need to give some childrenextra help and encouragement to takepart in messy play. Young children maysometimes be unsure about touchingcertain textures and may need supportfrom an adult or other child.
How can messyplay help a child’sdevelopment?There are many reasons why messyplay can help children learn.• It helps children become moreindependent. Children take partin an activity that they create.Theyare able to decide how they wantto play and can use the materials inthe way that they choose.This buildsconfidence because the child is incontrol.• It helps develop movement,co-ordination and control. Messyplay gives children the opportunityto explore materials using theirhands, arms, feet and bodies.• It helps develop language andcommunication. Children will learnnew words that describe the thingsthey see, feel, hear, smell and taste.• It helps children to be creativeand use their imagination. Regularopportunities for free play allowchildren to create their own activitiesin their own way.• It helps extend children’sknowledge and understanding ofthe world. Children can investigateobjects, textures and a range ofmaterials.• It helps children use their senses.Children experience differentsensations and have the opportunityto respond in a variety of ways to thethings they see, hear, smell, tasteand touch.• It helps encourage social play.Children join in activities with otherchildren and learn social skills asthey play. They learn to take turns,share and interact with each other.• It provides opportunities forchildren to express themselvesand their emotions. Variousmaterials can encourage differentfeelings – for example, corn flourcan be soothing and play doughcan be used to relieve tension bypressing and squeezing it.• It encourages children to makechoices. When exploring andinvestigating a range of materials,children have more opportunitiesto show preferences and makechoices.• It helps children developconcentration and problemsolvingskills. Children becomeabsorbed in their activities. Messyplay gives children the opportunityto work things out themselves andexperiment safely. Young childrenlearn best through practicalexperiences.
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