Why it’s good for your child to get dirty

There are mothers who love to see their child get dirty, others get the creeps. Michelle Rose belongs to the latter group. Still, she’s learned that it’s okay to encourage your kids to get dirty every now and then.

Michelle finds it hard to pinpoint exactly why she cringes at the thought of baking with her toddlers. Michelle: “Maybe because I know that when we’re done, I’ll be the one who has to clean everything again.” But she also understands that when you have children, you cannot avoid clutter. She has learned that it’s okay if you don’t like clutter as a mother. And that it’s fine if you’re disappointed when your kids got dirty with the mud. She has to live with it and she does.

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With these tips, playing outside will be even more fun for your child

Joy

“I think it’s all worth it when I see that pure joy on their faces. I remind myself that their job is to be nice and messy. And my job is to create an environment where they can learn and grow. And then give them a warm bath.” By playing outside, children learn skills that are good for their development. To make playing outside fun for both the children and herself, Michelle has the following tips ready:

Do research

If you know you find clutter a pain, it’s good to know its benefits. It is for children a good exercise for their senses. By letting them play messy, you create meaningful experiences and they explore their environment. They do this by touching, seeing and feeling.

Dress them appropriately

A buyer, but still good to think about. When your kids go outside to play, don’t put them on their latest sweater: choose clothes that can get dirty and that you don’t mind if they get a tear. Saves you another disappointment.

Set up a cleaning routine

While it’s good to encourage outdoor play, it’s also wise to let your kids be a part of your cleaning routine. You can fill in this clearing time as you wish, for example with a song, a game or a dance. As long as you let your kids play in the mud, they’ll be more likely to listen when it’s time to tidy up and clean.

Use compost bins

If there are leftovers after playing, put them in a compost bin. Besides being a good place to put clutter, it’s also a good learning experience for the kids. What you put in the bin, you can use later when, for example, gardening. When they see their garbage turning into dirt, they learn to always throw in their leftovers, which gives them a sense of responsibility.

Source: Scary Mommy

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