Mud Play as Meaningful Learning Brendan Rooney June 17, 2025

Are you ready to fully embrace mud play in your early childhood program and discover how deeply it supports child development? In this engaging and interactive workshop, participants will explore the powerful developmental benefits of mud play through the lens of the Vermont Early Learning Standards. We’ll examine how sensory-rich, messy experiences promote cognitive growth, physical coordination, emotional regulation, social development, and more. Participants will gain practical tools to confidently advocate for mud play, tackling common concerns, building buy-in from staff and families, and creating inclusive policies (like a muddy clothes plan or parent newsletters that communicate the “why” behind the mess). We will explore ways to intentionally plan for mud play across the curriculum. We’ll also discuss selecting loose parts and natural materials, choosing plants that enhance your mud kitchen, and creating environments that reflect children’s natural curiosity and joyful engagement with the earth. By the end of this two-hour session, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of how mud play aligns with Vermont’s Early Learning Standards, and with renewed energy, ready-to-use resources, and a plan to bring the joy of mud into your learning environment.