Dirt. It’s the perennial enemy of the parent. We tell our children not to get dirty. We tell them to keep their clothes clean and when they come home wearing red sauce painted in a motif across their pale yellow shirt coupled with dark dirt stains on their pink shorts – we sigh, we smile and we throw them in the wash. The beauty of this – is when our children come home painted from head to toe in sweat and dirt – guess what – they wash too?
Give Yourself a Break
I don’t know how many times I’ve seen parents or families struggle with the dirt equation. Our kids love dirt – it’s fun. It feels cool to let dirt or sand slide through the fingers. Sinking your hands into oozing, squishy mud is intensely satisfying. Now, I’ll grant you – I outgrew my desire to make mud pies a long time ago – but I remember how much fun it was to create my mud sensations and even more fun to fill a pail with dirt and transport it from one side of the playground to another in some mock attempt at a mental play.
The thrill of getting dirty is intensified by mom’s reaction. They think it’s funny to see the faces we make and just for a minute – sit back and watch your kids play in the dirt – they aren’t really hurting themselves or anyone else. Yes, we don’t want them to eat the dirt – but the first time you start digging in the garden – here comes the kiddo with their plastic pail and shovel – they’re all set to dig in with you.
Don’t Let Dirt Get You Down
Rather than frustrate yourself over the details of how dirty they are – expect the dirt, embrace the dirt and let your child explore the world by getting down into the dirt. But apply a few rules to the dirt play. When they play in the dirt, they are exploring the physical world and learning a little science, believe it or not. They are learning what happens when you get dirt or sand wet.
Packing wet sand into a pail and turning it upside down to tap it out to make a little turret is one example. Checking out the earth and regular worms that wiggle up when they are digging is another. The dirt plays host to a lot of creatures. The dirt is also where the grass, the flowers and the trees grow – seeking nutrients and minerals they can only find in the dirt.
It’s Better than a Video Game
Playing in the dirt can be especially satisfying because it stimulates the creative play in the brain that we want our children to indulge in. It helps them hone their motor skills through shaping, filling, patting and dumping. And frankly, all that digging, carrying, dumping and building is a great physical workout too. (Kid fitness is really important!) So there’s a lot to be said for letting your kids get dirty – not to mention – you may not be a fan of dirt – but when you sit down with your midget into the dirt to dig away with impunity – you will both be laughing and bonding and enjoying the time spent together.
Dirt is cheap.
Dirt is easy.
Dirt is fun.
Just be sure to teach them how to wash up thoroughly when they are done whether it’s in the sink or the bathtub.
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