Some children are hesitant when assigned to areas where they will get themselves dirty. Flora observed a group of children who’d expressed a dislike of dirty things. She intentionally assigned them to the mud pit – a very dirty place. Wondering how they would approach their concern and discomfort with getting dirty, Flora observed.
Initially, Felix, Imonie, Morgan and Easton walked gingerly around the dryer portions of the mud pit, not touching any natural materials, animals, pots, or scoops housed in the space.
Felix took the initiative in investigating the mud with a stick and that was perceived as an invitation by the others.
Imonie, taking Felix’s cue, finds a way to approach the area using props, still expressing concern about getting dirty: “This stick is gonna keep me from getting muddy.”
Once connection was made, all the children were drawn by the properties of the mud and began to explore and feel with sticks, hands and feet.
Games were created after becoming familiar with the mud.
Felix, initiated a ‘follow the leader’ type of game: “Goo, goo Let’s go on the goo.”
Easton invested in the material through this game : “Again!”
Everybody joined in the game with the mud with great delight: “GOOOOO!”
Morgan, taking a minute to reflect, applies his previous knowledge of mud: “One day this goo is gonna dry.”
Imonie, who was unwilling to touch the mud at first, has fully welcomed it. As she sinks up to her ankles in mud, hands sticky: “This is very gooey.” She smiles as if to say: And, I’m okay with that.
Felix reinvests the group’s interest in the game : “Let’s go in the mountain.”
Learning to embrace ideas that are new is a sign of an open mind and heart. These children moved beyond their initial resistance to an idea and fully engaged their senses with the support of a social fabric, openning a door to a world of new opportunities. Isn’t that the definition of the preschool experience? -Kris and Flora
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