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Yes to Mess
October 29, 2008
An optimist laughs to forget; a pessimist forgets to laugh.
-Tom Nansbury
-Tom Nansbury
"Childhood is supposed to be messy and and natural playscapes [outdoor play areas] offer a kind of messiness that inspires learning and creativity. Children make mud pies out of mud; they pile up leaves and carry them around; sand and dirt are good for digging in. Two vital tricks are: having an extra set of 'messy clothes' on hand to change into and reminding parents to dress their children appropriately for play. If parents feel uncomfortable with the mess, tell them 'the dirtier your child gets at school, the better reader they will become.' When they scratch their heads, and look doubtful, explain that the experiences a young child has playing set up the foundation for future learning. The skills they learn on the playscape, such as having the confidence to try things they've never done before, will later translate to the school setting. For example, the world of reading — sounding out letters and words they've never seen — could seem daunting unless children have had positive experiences stretching themselves, gaining confidence, and growing through play. A natural playscape makes it easy for children to find challenging ways to dig, jump, stomp, and splash — and yes, get messy in the process — all on their way to becoming better readers."
Natural Playscapes: Creating Outdoor Play Environments for the Soul, now available on the Exchange web site, is an inspiring, yet practical resource on bringing outdoor playspaces to life. It describes how children relate to the natural world, gives many examples from around the world of how early childhood professionals and parents have planned and constructed natural playscapes. Included are blueprints, step by step instructions, and tip sheets such as "20 Ways to Create Natural Playscapes," and "15 Free or Low-Cost Things to Enrich Your Playscapes."
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Comments (4)
Displaying All 4 CommentsWinton, Ca, United States
I totally agree with this article, because even when a child it outside or even indoors getting messy that child is thinking and creating which is the basic foundational building blocks for learning how to read.
color outside the lines
tyler, TX, United States
Donna Wheeler's comment is "right on". However, it may be that the early childhood educators would be more straight forward if they helped parents to understand that dirt and messiness should be honored instead of set aside as unacceptable. Example:
At a rather fancy adult presentation recently, an "in the know" dad brought his daughter with a drawing on her face. "She belongs to a really great day care", he explained.
United States
I too agree and support the importance of children exploring and experimenting with "messiness", especially that involved in their natural world. I purchased Rusty's book and use it as a resource in my own presentations on nature. Something not mentioned that is worth thinking about is that not all families have the financial ability to provide a change of clothes for their children, or have a laundry facility nearby.
As children explore creativity through "messiness" early childhood educators need to explore creative ways to make certain that all children have the same opportunities to experience play.
Maine Afterschool Network
farmington, maine, United States
While I agree wholeheartedly with the article's point - namely, that "messiness" should be acknowledged as inherent to childhood exploration and growth experiences from the earliest age, I am almost as concerned about conciously AVOIDING messiness in language: the comment to parents should be, "The dirtier your child gets at school, the better reader she or he will become." Or, "The dirtier your children get at school, the better readers they will become." Both things matter, and work together for the balance we all strive for in life!
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