Benefits of Messy Play for Children
The house has just finished tidying up, but in a matter of minutes, the kids have made it more and more messy with crayons, paper, and other toys scattered about. Not to mention the paint, glue, and glitter that sticks everywhere.
It’s a little scary, Ma. But you better take a breath first. The child is entering the world messy play-his. However, messy play not as messy as the name, really, Ma. It is precisely the game that is visible dirty and messy this has an important role in the growth of children.
Messy play is an active play activity by exploring various materials and tools. When doing messy play, all of the child’s five senses are stimulated while playing with these materials. He can feel the texture, smell, see, hear, and even taste the taste of the toy he is playing with.
From all these ingredients, children can imitate how to make an object – for example a birthday cake from sand, or create their own objects according to their creations, make monsters from playdough for example. In messy play, the main focus is not producing something, but the process of playing (as well as learning of course!) in a way that is fun for children.
Used in Messy Play
Dry | Wet |
Rice (can be dyed to make it interesting) | Paint |
Dry pasta (various forms) | Cooked pasta |
Nuts and seeds | Starch flour that is given cold water (loop) |
Paper cut (various types, thickness, and colors) | Wet soil or mud |
Cans | Jelly |
Stones | Water |
Beads or sequins | Ice Cube |
Dry leaves, twigs | Soap lather |
Wheat flour | Water cereal |
Soil | Bar soap flakes |
When to Get Started Messy Play
Do you remember when your child first learned about complementary foods? The food you give your child may be spattered, spilled, or even thrown. That was the initial stage when he learned to play dirty-shit even though he didn’t really understand it when he did it. In addition, according to psychologist Nessi Purnomo Psi., Msi, messy play children can understand when they are 3 years old. At that time, he did not just play, but also could learn many things. Teach children messy play gradually according to age level.
