The joy of mud

http://www.mindstretchers.co.uk/Auchlone%20Nature%20Kindergarten.cfm

What an awesome day! I got up early (5:30am) as sleep alluded me. It's cold here, but the day dawned fresh and clear with sparkling blue sky. I enjoyed a wonderful breakfast then started for Crieff. I didn't get lost which is always a relief and arrived at Auchlone Nature Kinder after a ninety minute drive through scenic countryside.

As soon as I walked in the place I felt at home. I was greeted by friendly staff and confident children. Kate met me at the gate,  covered in mud and as I shook her hand the mud and dirt was shared with me. I felt like I could really fit in here. She'd been out the back working on a joint project to create a swampy play space. Recent rain has turned some of the playground into a bog. Now I've come across many situations back in Australia where that would be a cause for concern. What to do? Mud must be tamed, turned into a respectable thing, or avoided at all costs. Not here! They turn it into a play swamp and build a log swing with curling rope, thrown over a tree branch for children to swing on, to test their skills and problem solve so that your bottom slides through the gooey mud at just the right moment. I watched two boys, old hands at this, discuss the situation, heft and pull and carry that swing up to the top of an incline, and the joy shared in swooping downward, the flexing branch allowing for a bounce and a slide. Laughter and satisfaction at the patch of mud on their bottoms as they made contact. It was beautiful. Nobody stopped them, told them to be careful, or warned them to keep clean. They were able to delight in the sensations to their hearts content. What were they learning here? Well I'm sure you can find an answer to that.

I'm always harping on about finding the significant thing that happened that day, and that is what you document, so I'm going to heed my own advice and leave it at this. There was a lot more that happened today, I could write for hours, but this one story tells it all.

I do however, want to take this opportunity to thank the University of Woollongong for their sponsorship of this study. I will be forever thankful of this opportunity. It's only day one but I'm beginning to get a sense of what I'm in for. A whole month of inspiration and learning amongst leaders in early childhood education.

So I've managed to stay awake until evening and now I am looking forward to a full nights sleep before I embark on more adventures tomorrow. My husband just called and he's on his way to work as I consider hitting the sack.

Talk tomorrow.