1-4 What Makes a Great Mud Kitchenx

1-4 What Makes a Great Mud Kitchenx

Mud is a fabulous medium for exploration and discovery for children. The Mud Kitchen invites children to become scientists, cooks, entrepreneurs, and artists. Have you ever thought what would happen if every outdoor classroom included a Mud Kitchen and all parents, families, teachers, and communities embraced and valued Mud as a teaching tool? Children just might navigate their world feeling the freedom to get dirty and explore without hesitation! Do you know mud can make you happier? Mud Play connects children to nature and playing in Mud has health benefits.

Welcome to More than Mud Pies: Make a Mud Kitchen Master Class Module 1-4. In this course, you will be exploring what makes a GREAT Mud Kitchen. If you have any questions, leave a comment below or email me a victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com. If you would like to connect with other Mud Kitchen enthusiasts, check out CIRCLE Membership.

Objectives:

  • Understand what makes a GREAT Mud Kitchen
  • Learn your role in what makes a GREAT Mud Kitchen
  • Practice creating Invitations for Learning in a makeshift Mud Kitchen

Session Checklist:

  • Watch Videos: Interview with Jan Plourde & Kids from The REAL Program
  • Take Action:
    • Offer children pots, pans, and natural loose parts for outdoor play and observe
  • Write Reflections in your Workbook & Visual Journal
    • What did you learn from the Interviews?
    • What did you learn from your Observations?
  • Leave a Comment below
    • What makes a great Mud Kitchen?

What Makes a GREAT Mud Kitchen?

An Interview with Jan Plourde: The REAL Program

The REAL Program Mud Kitchen

An Interview: The REAL Program Kids in the Mud Kitchen

A Note from Jan: “Jamal is a first grader. His support player, Paulo, is in second grade. What I observe is that the mud kitchen, just like the pretend play kitchen indoors, is never idle. Adults either join their magic and pretend along with them or we can stay out of their way. The sensory, free choice, imaginary benefits are too numerous to count.”

YOUR NEXT STEPS:

  1. WRITE A Reflection:
    • What do you need to be successful in this course?
    • What do you do to inspire your teaching?
  2. DOWNLOAD: Step One Workbook

Download Workbook