Being a good assistant

Section 7 of the Making a Mud Kitchen book.

Introduction

What you'll need

mud
children
utensils
supporting adults

This activity has been provided by

Useful items from our shop

Item available from our shop

Environmental Considerations

Consider the environmental impact of preparing, carrying out & completing this activity. Could this impact be reduced? Specific considerations for this activity could include:

Health & Safety Considerations

Follow your usual operating procedures and carry out appropriate risk benefit assessments.
Some considerations particular to this activity include:

Being a Good Assistant:

The main role adults need to take is of facilitator and enabler – making the kitchen available (best constructed by helping the children to create it to their own specifications), and supporting the play that then emerges from the children.

Good adult support consists of observing (noticing what is really taking place), striving to understand (recognising the significance of this for this child and this group of children) and then responding according to careful consideration as to what would help the child the most (which might be standing back out of the way!).

Supplying useful language for equipment, actions and descriptions can be very helpful provided it is done in context where it makes sense (and is not overdone!).

There is so much to mud kitchen play and its deeper meanings for children that the role of researcher would be highly valuable.

Other adults may not understand why this is all so valuable and important, and may have many objections, so supporting adults also need to interpret what is really happening and advocate for mud play in all children’s lives.

Disclaimer: Muddy Faces cannot take any responsibility for accidents or damage that occurs as a result of following this activity.You are responsible for making sure the activity is conducted safely.