Key Messages 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Have fun playing together! Babies and children need to play - it’s how they learn about our world. Talk with your baby or child while you play - it will help them learn to talk to you. Watch and listen to your baby or child - let them lead the play. Don’t worry if your baby or child only plays for a short time, it will still have been a positive experience.
working together for health & well-being
Messy Play
Watch out for….. 1. 2. 3. 4.
Always keep a careful eye on your child. Make sure the floor doesn’t get slippery to avoid falls. Avoid using any substances which could cause irritation or allergies. Children learn through putting things on their mouths—be careful not to use anything poisonous
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If you would like more copies of this leaflet, want more information, or would like a copy of any of the another leaflets in this series, please contact Somer Valley Children’s Services on 01225 396660 This leaflet can be made available in a range of languages, in large print, Braille, on tape, electronic and accessible formats from Tel: 0800 073 1214 or Textphone: 07980 998906
Somer Valley Children's Centre Services Play Ideas
Why it’s good to get messy!
Playing together… • Encourage your child to explore using their senses, e.g. running the messy play material through their fingers • Hide plastic animals, dinosaurs, people etc in custard or jelly • Use playdough or biscuit cutters to make shapes in clay or mud • Add glitter
• Children learn about their world from textures and touch • Some children find experiencing different textures calming • Some children enjoy the opportunity to get messy • Look out for messy play sessions running in your area!
Messy Play • • • • • • • •
What can I use?
Talking together...
Plastic bowls Clay Mud Gloop (cornflour mixed with water) Cold cooked pasta mixed with water and ketchup Set jelly Cold custard Paint for hand and foot prints
• Talk about how the messy play material feels, wobbles, looks, smells and sounds • Talk about what patterns they can make in the gloop, mud, paint etc • Talk to your child about what the plastic toys might be doing in the messy play material - encourage them to make up a story