Mudluscious!
The format of the program is set up as follows:
45 minutes of exploring at their own pace the 8 -10 activities which are spread out in a park or large activity room. Being outside works best. These activities are followed by 15 minutes of group time which includes a story, theme snack, and finger-plays or songs. Our class size is limited to 10 child-adult teams when inside and 15 teams outside.
Squish
Take off your shoes! Jump right in the mud and wiggle your toes! How does it feel? When you get out, walk on the paper and make footprints. Try wet sand. How does that feel? Skills developed: Gross motor, sense of touch – a wonderful sensory experience!!
The Mighty Mud Box
Mix water with soil (use top soil not potting soil). Play in the mud with various containers and utensils, just like you would a sandbox. Feel how squishy it is. Make hand prints in the mud. Don’t forget to make a mud pie to take home! Skills developed: Observation skills and sense of touch.
The Line Game
Lines can be made in sand, dirt, or mud. Use the Mighty Mud box to show your tot how to make a line in the mud with his finger. Guide his hand gently to help him make a line. Next, make a wiggly line. Help your tot do the same. Try making lines with other objects such as a stick or a toy. Push a toy car through the dirt and show your tot the tire tracks. Skills developed: These experiences acquaint your child with lines and develop hand-eye coordination.
Magic Mud
Put a scoop of cornstarch in a bowl. Add just enough water so you or your tot can stir. Press down on it. What happens? Pick some up in your hand and hold your hand still. Now what happens? Skills developed: Observation skills, sense of touch, and language.
Paint with Mud
Use paint brushes, paper, and mud to paint pictures. Use different types of soil, using muffin tins for each type. Notice the different textures, colors and smells. Skills developed: Creative, language, sense of sight, and touch.
Sand Shakes
Fill a clear plastic jar with water and sand. Shake. Observe. What happens? Leave it sitting for a while and observe. What happened? Shake again. What happens? Skills developed: Thinking, language, observation skills, and gross motor.
Clean Mud
Tear up pieces of brown paper towels (or toilet paper) and put in a large plastic container. Add shavings of Ivory soap and water until desired consistency. Mix, squish, and squeeze. Make patties, pancakes, and pies! Skills developed: Creative, motor skills, sense of sight, and touch.
Five Little Pigs – Poem and Pigsty Play
Five little pigs rolled in the mud.
Squish, squash, squish, it sure felt good.
The farmer took a pig out, and cleaned him up nice.
Four little pigs rolled in the mud.
Squish, squash, squish, it sure felt good.
The farmer took a pig out, and cleaned him up nice.
Two little pigs rolled in the mud.
Squish, squash, squish, it sure felt good.
The farmer took a pig out, and cleaned him up nice.
One little pig rolled in the mud.
Squish, squash, squish, it sure felt good.
The farmer took a pig out, and cleaned him up nice.
No little pigs rolled in the mud.
They all looked nice and clean.
The farmer turned his back and what do you know!
All those little pigs jumped back in the mud.
Have plastic pigs, dishpan or pie tin of mud, and dishpan of water to wash.
Skills developed: Creative play, language, and listening.
Snack: Mud!
Ingredients:
- instant pudding
- whipped cream milk
- vanilla
- chocolate sandwich cookies
Follow directions on the box for a pie. Add whipped cream until you get the consistency you want. Crush cookies and mix in 2 of the package with chocolate. Put in child’s play pail and sprinkle with remaining cookies on top. Garnish with silk flowers and serve immediately.
Activities provided by:
Ginny Malcomson and Jennie Groves
Toddling on the Wild Side
E Resources Group
2250 Stagecoach Rd
Webster City, IA 50595
Toddling on the Wild Side was supported by the REAP-CEP grant program.
_ 0-1
✓ 1-2
_ 2-3
_ 3-4
_ 4-5
_ 5-6
Category: Adult-Child
Time:
1 hour
Season:
spring, summer
Iowa Early Learning Standards:
1.2, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 6.1, 6.2, 7.3
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