Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/wonder----nacc-newsletter/5021983/
International Mud Day 2014: Making Lifelong MemoriesInternational Mud Day began in 2009 at a World Forum event. Gillian McAuliffe from Australia and Bishnu Bhatta from Nepal joined in conversation to share their hopes and concerns for young children. The collaboration that followed has inspired educators, children, and families across the globe to celebrate International Mud Day together each year on June 29, using a simple tub of mud as the unifying element.
Over the last several years, your reflections on mud day have related a fascinating transformation that takes place: children from all parts of the world have the same hesitation during their first experience of Mud Day. Many approach the mud cautiously, solemnly studying the changes in their surroundings, wondering what will happen next, wide eyes looking over their shoulders to the adults waiting nearby, wordlessly asking, “Are you serious? You’re telling me I can play in THAT?” Tentative explorations begin with single fingers poked into soggy soil or sticks dipped into gooey muck and then . . . finally . . . a splatter is made, a giggle erupts, and before long gleeful squeals of pure delight ensue as the players (both children and adults) let go of their ...