Most children love playing in mud. Some parents may deter their child from getting muddy, and may be unaware of the benefits of ‘mud play’. Do you recall making mud pies and getting muddy when you were young?

This International Mud Day, G8 Education is helping to uncover the many benefits of ‘mud play’ for the 40,000 children in its 400 early childhood education and care centres across the country.

G8 Education’s Chief Education and Learning Officer Ali Evans strongly believes in the benefits of mud play for all Australian children.

“Playing in the mud can help children in so many areas such as being physically active, solving problems, and strengthening children’s emotional wellbeing and social skills,” said Ms Evans.

“Children who play in mud often improve their motor skills and coordination, and studies have shown that it also can improve their immune systems.

“We see the delight of many children in our centres who get to play with mud.

“It can be a real talking point in the tours we offer to families who are looking to start their early education and learning journey with one of our centres.

“Many parents can worry about how dirty their child’s clothes will become after playing in the mud, however we always suggest packing a spare change of clothes.

“Children can make mud pies in a mud kitchen, jump in muddy puddles, turn mud pits into a construction pit – the opportunities are endless, and so fun.

“Playing in the mud isn’t just about making a mess – the benefits for a child are backed by scientific studies and are essential to their learning, development and wellbeing.”

Clarinda resident Luping Zhang’s two-year-old twin boys attend Kindy Patch Clarinda, and love playing in the centre’s mud pit.

Twins Sinan and Sibei joined in September last year and Luping says they play in the mud pit every day.

“It’s guaranteed that my husband and I receive photos of Sinan and Sibei playing in the mud pit at Kindy Patch Clarinda each day they’re at the centre,” Ms Zhang said.

“They love to dig in the mud with their hands and get creative playing with toy trucks in the mud pit.

“I occasionally find dirt and sand in their pockets but it’s fine because it’s good exposure for them. I like that they are able to safely play outdoors in nature.  

“Every morning at drop off, I see educators at the centre cleaning up the sandpit and mud pit areas, loosening the sand and mud, making sure there’s nothing dangerous hiding in the sand or the mud pits. It’s much safer for children to be playing in the mud at kindy patch rather than at home.

“When I first toured Kindy Patch Clarinda, I wasn’t sure about the mud pit at first. I had heard stories about children coming home from daycare with mud and sand in their nappies so I didn’t really want to deal with all of that. We soon realised that it’s a part of growing up. There’s something quite natural about playing in the mud. It can help to boost their immune systems. I would prefer that my children love playing in sand and mud, rather than a child who loves to be indoors.

“As parents, we wash their clothes when they come home from daycare anyway, so adding mud into the mix doesn’t bother me. I’m not going to let the thought of washing some dirty clothes stop my children from having fun and getting close to nature. Children also grow out of their clothes so quickly, and we receive a lot of hand-me-down clothing, so it doesn’t bother me.”

“The educators at Kindy Patch Clarinda are so professional with my children. I can tell they genuinely care about the kids.”

Children that attend G8 Education Centres including Kindy Patch Clarinda, Kindy Patch Medowie, Bambino’s Bowral Street and World of Learning Narellan love playing in the mud pits in their centres.