Workforce Solutions Alamo Expanding Outdoor Learning

Why Mud Kitchens? Need to enhance the outdoor environment to improve scores in Category 4 of the Texas Rising Star Guidelines Outdoors are one of the hardest and most expensive areas that centers must invest in Had to fund items that would be a good investment and would survive the Texas heat

Texas Rising Star – Outdoor Environments Outdoor play allows for children to explore the world around them, increase their knowledge of living things and space to run and play games. Children who play outdoors develop cognitive and social/emotional skills. While outdoors children use more of their senses to explore and experience their surroundings. TRS Guidelines Addendum

Encouraging Mud Play 5 reasons why Mud Play is great for children’s development: Developing children’s sensory skills Connecting with Nature Learning science concepts Building on imagination skills Developing children’s language and communication skills Early Years Careers http://www.earlyyearscareers.com

Texas Rising Star Category 4 Scores Before After We looked at the average of P-OLE-05 for Infants and then P-OLE-04, for infants, toddler and preschool to determine need. About 31% have had visits since receiving the kitchens and they have all moved up overall and in category 4.

Outlast Mud Kitchen “Dirt and water are the perfect recipe for hours of creative play, and the Outlast Mud Kitchen is built to handle any amount of mess and drama.” Community Playthings

Outdoor Mud Kitchen with Pump “Create an inspiring outdoor living classroom with this beautiful eucalyptus wood mud kitchen-- excellent for exploratory and water play. Children's learning and creativity thrive when they are given hands-on opportunities to experience and discover their environment. The Mud Kitchen invites children to use their imagination and create masterpieces with plenty of workspace and a stainless steel sink with functional water pump.” Kaplan

Outdoor Learning

The mud is an art medium that children mold and decorate in unique, creative ways. The creations become the center of children’s play. The children use the cooking utensils with control and intention, stirring, flipping, and pouring. Adding small ingredients to their creations allows them to use their fine motor skills. Community Playthings

Mud Play Providers are beginning to plan Mud Days and are using the play to increase outdoor learning opportunities.

What Our Providers Say… “The toddler mud kitchen is a huge success I enjoy seeing the little ones playing in the mud making pies and throwing dirt, as they say in the world of Early Childhood. Let the mess begin, fun mess, we know that sensory play is so important for young children and they are solving problems while having fun and getting dirty at the same time.” Karla Woods Colonial Hills “The children are enjoying the Kitchen Mud and thank you for putting smiles on the children. “ Norma Villareal Healthy start