Dear Mattingley families and friends,
What a wet and wild end we have had to week four. The rain on our
classroom roof has made us feel like we really were spending our days exploring
a rainforest. Have you seen our classroom forest collage yet? It is really
starting to take shape. Next week we are going to start adding animals to our
forest space.
This wet and wild weather has also brought with it many fabulous
puddles. Our class favorite would have to be the big muddy puddles. It is
amazing how satisfying it is to jump in a big puddle. It is an instant mood
lifter. If you don’t believe us just look at this action packed photos for the
proof. What fun the children had jumping and splashing about together. It was
wonderful to see some of our friends push past their boundaries and join in the
exploration.
Watch me! I do big jump- Jed
I jump too- Josh S
I jumped so high! It went splosh!- Sammy
I jump – Lachlan B
The water went into my boots. It feels funny- Eloise
It wet- Fred
I love the puddles. I love to jump in the puddles- Lailah
Not only is mud play extremely fun, it also has many educational
benefits as well. Through exploring and playing with mud, children are given
the opportunity to express their creativity, enhance their fine motor skills,
practice literacy, science and math skills. The mud can also be an art medium
as the children mold it in unique and creative ways. These creations can become
the center of their play, often becoming wonderful dishes in the sand kitchen
as not so sure friends and educators are enthusiastically encouraged to eat
them for dinner. Through their play the children use the cooking utensils with
control and intention as they are stirring, flipping and pouring. Other friends
just love to see the reaction that their big jump has on their clothes and the
surrounding environment.
As it looks like this wet weather is here to say we would like to
encourage that children come to ELC with a pair of wet weather shoes and a few
changes of named clothes. We love messy play in the Mattingley classroom, and
feel that the children gain so much out of being able to freely explore this
magnificent natural phenomenon. You never know, you might find yourself jumping
in puddles on this wet weekend. Please feel free to email through any photo
evidence!
Mrs Kimberley Mason and Mrs Coney Rocca
