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14 Washington FAMILY MARCH 2021
“Jumping and hopping allow
t hem to practice large motor
coordination skills.”
Dr. Joan Carney, assistant vice president of clinical programs,
Kennedy Krieger Institute
LEARNING ABOUT AND EXPLORING THE
NATURAL WORLD AROUND US
Splashing in puddles is child’s play, and play is how children learn
about the world around them.

Playtime is a crucial part of a child’s development. Some of
toddlers’ favorite activities — which may seem messy at times to
parents — offer more than meets the eye. While playing in puddles
may not be particularly appealing to adults, the nature of the
activity makes it excellent for nurturing a child’s developing mind.

“Kids can learn so many things from this,” says Dr. Joan Carney,
assistant vice president of clinical programs at Kennedy Krieger
Institute. “They’re going to get the sensory context of cold or wet.

If they’re jumping in a puddle, they get to use a lot of large body
coordination. Jumping and hopping allow them to practice large motor
coordination skills.”
As a child’s motor skills develop between ages 1 and 2, playing
in puddles turns into more of a lesson in consequences: jump in
a puddle, and you’ll make a splash. When you splash in a puddle,
you’ll get wet. This type of cause-and-effect experiment can
translate to more situations a child encounters in life.

At age 4, children may experiment with principles of engineering—
digging ditches in the mud and watching them pool with water. By age
7, they may start incorporating the elements of scientific discovery by
exploring puddle ecosystems and the living organisms they support.

UNDERSTANDING THE VALUE OF HAVING
UNSTRUCTURED CHILD’S PLAY
Playing in puddles also fills an important need for children — the
need for unstructured, individualized activities.

While it’s great for parents to get involved with their children’s
play — and little ones definitely require quality time with mom and
dad — kids also need the freedom to play on their own. Puddles
naturally lend themselves to this type of play.

There are no rules to the game of splashing in puddles,
Carney says. “There is no turn-taking; there is no structure.

They are making their own decisions about doing things that are
unstructured. Do they like it and want to keep doing it? Do they not
like it, abandon it and try something else? The reason it’s important
is that it gives children confidence and a sense of self.”
“Unstructured play also allows children to learn how to share,
resolve conflicts, develop communication skills and explore their
interests in a meaningful and natural way,” says Dr. Mutiat Tolu
Onigbanjo, who serves as medical director for UM Pediatrics at
University of Maryland Medical Center, Midtown Campus. “It gets
them to use their imagination skills, which help promote healthy
brain development.”



Parents’ Resources
for Rainy-Day Activities
20 Ideas to Encourage Outdoor Rainy Day Play
The Empowered Educator
theempowerededucatoronline.com ...................................................................................................................

50 Ways to Play in the Rain
Mother Natured
mothernatured.com amp at
Summer C
Musical Theater & Creative
Arts Camp
Ages 5-7, Ages 8-14
Junior Music Camp
Ages 4-6
er Summ
................................................................................................................... Play in a Puddle on a Rainy Day
National Association for the Education of Young Children
naeyc.org ...................................................................................................................

GARYRADLER /ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS
Rainy Day Activities: 20 Fun Things to Do When It Rains
Climacell climacell.co
MAIN STAGE
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REGISTER TODAY!
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As with any activity your child engages in, always think safety first.

www.harmoniaschool.org | 703.938.7301
Toddlers shouldn’t be left to play unsupervised in standing pools of water.

Children who are only a few years old or younger
can drown in only several inches of standing
water. As long as you are present to monitor your
child, you can let your son or daughter get messy
and have a good time with puddle jumping
Sister Montessori preschools,
Of course, puddles are certain to appear at
proving Northern Virginia’s
the most inopportune moments. What parent
preschool children with quality
hasn’t tried to find a way to avoid a child’s
education for the past 50 years.

inevitable plunge into a puddle during a trip
to the supermarket or an appointment?
The simplest thing to do is to take your
child by the hand and direct him or her
away from it. Make a distraction, talk about
something silly or ask a question. Timing is
everything in the world of puddle play.

When you allow playtime with puddles,
make sure your child is wearing play clothes
THE BETHESDA
you don’t mind getting dirty and sturdy
MONTESSORI SCHOOL
footwear. While most moms and dads may
For 38 years,
not hesitate to climb into a sandbox with
teaching ages 3-6
their child, few may care to splash in a puddle.

Onigbanjo suggests ways parents can join in
ENROLL NOW FOR 2021
IN-PERSON LEARNING IN PROGRESS
the fun without getting wet themselves.

8am – 6pm
7611 Clarendon Rd.

“Bring along floating toys and explore the
Bethesda, MD 20814
concept of what sinks or floats,” she says.

301-986-1260 “Sing a song together about being out in the
Exceeds MD Covid-19 safety guidelines
Email us to learn more and tour the school
rain or playing in a puddle.”
admissions@bethesdamontessori.com Puddles last only a short time, but memories
www.bethesdamontessori.com of rainy-day play can last a lifetime. T
20 1 8
RUNNER-UP RUNNER-UP
WashingtonFAMILY.com 15