Korihori pōrehe Messy Play

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Messy Play | Korihori pōrehe

Messy play is a relaxing learning experience providing children with a wide range of sensory experiences that help them learn about different textures and materials.

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Learning and Development

  • Messy play is a calming and soothing sensory experience. Feeling relaxed helps children think clearly, improving concentration, memory and decision-making. Relaxation also lowers heart rate, reduces blood pressure and relieves tension. 

  • Activities like finger-painting, slime and gloop are often set up outside. Teachers engage with children by discussing the properties of these substances, promoting observation and communication skills.

  • As children scoop, pour, mix and measure, they enhance their hand-eye coordination and motor skills.

  • Messy play offers a creative outlet where children can make up stories, songs and chants, strengthening their communication and cooperation skills.

  • Children explore and comment on the thickness, texture and movement of substances. This helps them understand properties of different materials.

  • Teachers demonstrate how textures can change when substances are combined, helping children learn cause and effect.

  • Informal conversations during play help extend children’s vocabulary. Teachers introduce descriptive words based on the children’s observations.

  • Children use resources like cups, jugs, animals and sticks to create imaginative scenarios. Older children often collaborate, developing their storytelling abilities.

  • Measuring, pouring, and comparing quantities introduce children to early math concepts. Teachers support this by discussing measurement aspects during play.

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How messy play relates to the primary school curriculum

Continuing Learning at Home

  • Natural Exploration:
    Provide materials like cups, plastic spoons, jugs, plastic animals, sticks and leaves for open-ended messy play.

  • Work Area Setup:
    Use low tables, water troughs or individual trays to create a flat surface for play.

  • Clean-Up Prep:
    Have a hand-washing station nearby, like a bucket of warm water and a towel for easy clean-up.

  • Add Music:
    Enhance the experience with music or singing to make playtime more engaging.

  • Create Patterns:
    Gather items like dish brushes, cardboard scrapers, leaves, twigs or stones to create interesting patterns and textures.
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