Playing in the Dirt!

The relationship that children have with the natural world is obvious to the casual observer, and these pictures illustrate beautifully the desire that children have to explore natural materials. Unfortunately, we can't always allow dirt play as it can get tracked inside so we like to set up the environment ahead of time.

CM in particular is quite happy if she's playing with dirt, rocks, bugs or twigs! On this day the gate that blocks off this former garden area wasn't in place and C was immediately drawn to the exposed dirt, sitting down in the middle of it. Once we saw the joy she was experiencing we didn't have the heart to put a stop to it and she was soon joined by AV. Together they sat and slowly sifted dirt onto their skin and clothes. They seemed to be most interested in the way the dirt felt falling and layng on their skin and would rub each others dirt-covered arms. FF eventually joined in, having watched the other two children for awhile, which is how she typically likes to approach new experiences.

We are intriugued with the situations/materials that bring the children together and dirt, water, light or any natural/organic material are powerful uniters. We almost never have to direct their attention - just expose them to the environment. There has been a great deal of research on the benefit of organic materials to developing children. These benefits range from sensory input for the brain to helping the eye to distinguish color. You can support this at home by simply offering a small box of dirt, rocks, and a few spoons or other digging implements. A small fountain or tub of water is good too. Another wonderful organic play idea is to offer driftwood or large branches and fabric for making small forts and enclosures or to just drape fabric over low-hanging tree limbs.