Celebrating International Mud Day at Bright Beginnings

Benefits of Mud Play

Kids and mud- the two words almost belong together. We all remember playing in mud at one point or another when we were little (or maybe even more recently at a Tough Mudder?) But these days it seems that more and more parents are apprehensive about letting their children play in mud for fear of bacteria in dirt and also because it can create a massive mess. But it turns out there are more overwhelmingly more pros than cons when it comes to mud play.

On Thursday, June 29th we celebrated International Mud Day at all three of our Bright Beginnings locations. We told our parents to be sure to send their kids to school in clothes they wouldn't mind getting dirty and to send a clean set for after our day of mud play. The day was a total blast. Our kids were smiling from ear to ear- and so were our teachers!

While playing in mud can guarantee a happy child- there are so many more developmental benefits from it than you might realize. Here are a few reasons why we love mud play.

1. Mud Leads to Happiness- well sort of! Researchers have confirmed what kids have always naturally known- playing in mud is an incredibly happy experience. The most recent research shows that dirt contains microscopic bacteria called Mycobacterium Vaccae which actually stimulates the immune system and also increases the levels in serotonin in our brains (serotonin is an endorphin that helps us relax and sooth.) Scientists confirmed that regular exposure to the bacteria will reduce the chances of depression in children. Playing in mud really does make you happier!
2. Mud Helps Prevent Allergies and Asthma. While this may sound backwards at first, playing in mud can actually make your child healthier! Science shows that due to overly sanitized environments we are raising our children in, we are unknowingly contributing to increased levels of allergies and asthma. Exposure to dirt and mud helps to prime your child's immune system in order to prevent allergies.
3. Mud Play Improves Cognitive Function. Mud and learning- together? Heck yes! The same release of serotonin that happens when playing in Mycobacterium Vaccae dirt can improve cognitive function. Combine that with the engaging sensory play that occurs while playing in mud which allows your child to express their creativity while improving his fine motor skills. That's a lot of learning going on for simply playing in mud!
4. Promotes Creative Thinking and Confidence. The open-ended nature of mud promotes creative thinking and allows children to freely create without fear of making mistakes. This also contributes to a child’s sense of self, helping to build a strong inner sense of competency.
5. Inclusive Activity for All Ages. Mud play is an incredibly inclusive activity that promotes social interactions between children that may be on different developmental levels. Also, while a younger child's focus may be on the sensory focus, an older child's focus may be on a specific goal or activity in mind when playing with the mud.