Messy play is good for child development
– Principal Gabriel Li, Victoria (Kornhill) Nursery
Look below to find some ideas for messy play, suitable for children aged 8-36 months old.
- Gloop
- Jelly
- Custard
- Play dough
- Cloud dough
- Fizzy dough
- Paint
- Water beads
- Slime
Parents might ask, “What exactly is messy play”? Well for starters, messy play should be fun! There is no right or wrong way to experience messy play. It is all about allowing children of all ages and stages of development, to explore using their hands and bodies. There are many types of activities that could be considered ‘messy play’ including painting, playing with bubbles, exploring the texture of shaving foam, playing in the sand, or getting your hands covered in gloop. All of these and many more messy play activities play a crucial role in the development of children in the early years.
Messy play can start at any age. Even from birth, babies may often experience joy when splashing in water at bath time. They also enjoy touching different materials and doing things like finger painting. Messy play is a creative activity with diverse materials that can stimulate your child’s curiosity to learn more about the world around them.
Research has shown that a child can benefit tremendously in many areas of development by engaging in messy play. This type of play will sharpen their problem-solving skills, help them learn how to classify, as well as use predictions and observations when trying new things. In group situations, it can bring children together and ignite deeper connection and cooperation, as they discuss their experiences. Cognitive ability, social cognition and emotional intelligence are always being developed and encouraged to grow through messy play.
Of course, there are some health and safety issues to consider when setting up messy play. First, it’s great to use edible resources as they are the safest. Secondly, always use non-toxic paints. Most importantly, never leave your child unsupervised during messy play and guide them how to play. It can get wet and it will get messy, so a change of clothing is essential. Whatever you do, above all else, have fun!
