“I did warn [all the parents] to bring extra clothes.”
Motueka Playcentre participated in national Playcentre Messy Play Week last week for its up to 60 tamariki (children) to be enthralled in messy activities frowned upon at home by their caregivers.
Facilitator Moira Siobhan says the week was a staple at the playcentre for holistic learning and sensory exploration with substances like shaving cream, paint, and a cornflour and water mix.
“There’s a lot of turn taking, so a lot of social confidence and language comes through it, and physical skills are all intertwined,” she says.
“It’s a whole bunch of fun as well, and the week is also for parents who don’t want the mess at home, at playcentre and you can leave the mess here.”
Wakefield Playcentre also embraced the mess.
As facilitator Liz Ashburner says, there’s always messy play at the centre, but last week was an opportunity to ramp it up with materials and colour for the children to explore.
“It’s very tactile for the children and a nice way to explore without any perceived outcomes. It’s a lot of fun for them and really enjoyable.”
