International Mud Day 2014

Springtime? Is that you?

Just over three years ago I was truly inspired by the amazing outdoor play experiences that take place over at Learning for Life. 

Their motto is:

 "Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, and snow is exhilarating; there is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather." John Ruskin 1819-1900

The pictures on Kierna's blog always amazed me. Seeing all the children playing in the mud. And what are those suits that they are wearing? Surely that must just be something they have in Northern Ireland, not here in the USA. So glad that I learned otherwise and discovered our Oakiwear Rain Suits. This is our second spring with them and last week it was finally warm enough to shed the snowsuits.

They keep us dry on the rainiest days. The suits allow them to sit, jump and splash in puddles without having to spend the rest of the morning waiting for their turn to change out of wet clothes. (Not to mention it saves on laundry for parents)

 Kids that would be hesitant to get messy before feel that they have a whole new sense of freedom.

Always proud to be a part of the...

Just Playing? Springtime Water

Where is the water going? 

This was not a structured or planned activity. This was simply the children following their curiosity and me following along.

"Look, its going under the ice!"

And then it is going DOWN the hill.

And into the Beaver Pond.

Here is another article about Channeling Water from Kitchen Counter Chronicles. Bring children outside and THEY WILL LEARN.

We may be "just playing", but....

What are the children doing here?

What do you see?

What learning is taking place?

What skills are being practiced/developed?

Please take a moment to reflect upon the photos. I would love for you to share your observations in a comment. I'd also like to invite you to "hop" on over to all of the other bloggers who are sharing photos of children learning through play this week:

November Rain

Mud Day 2013 (Part 1)

It was cold and rainy, but we still had fun. Snuggled up in some blankets after and read some books! 

Mud baths, mud pies, mud soup, mud slinging, mud jumping, mud houses.