DIRT, good for growing in

  

My children have discovered a January of glorious mud. And if it is not muddy enough, they will get buckets and Rubbermaid totes  and make it.  All this mud and dirt has got me thinking about what they are getting out of these hours.

Peace of Mind - Firstly I think about how good it feels to be outside, no matter what state of mind we leave the house in, the outdoors clears it all away.  All that carrying, bashing, digging and stirring, singing and moving settles any emotions that may need to move along.

Building Healthy Bodies-All those naturally occurring microbes living in the soil will help build healthy immune systems. Not to mention all the exercise that making mud pies or soups creates.

Education (Play)- Free play creates space for your mind to explore new things and become your own creator. This gives your child a true sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.  

Free babysitting- There is always of jobs to do around the farm, rain or sun. So having hours of mud entertainment and happy children, means that I can start and maybe even accomplish an outdoor task.

So as long as they want to play in the dirt we’ll stay outside. The more appropriately dressed they are for the weather the longer they stay out, but as you can see by my not appropriately dressed children in the pictures you’ll still get an hour or so. 

The ducks also love mud pies