Why do we encourage Messy Play with babies?

Babies learn through a variety of ways but most of all they learn and develop through play. Here at the Spinney Bell Meadow we support and encourage the babies to take part in different activities to develop different essential skills. In the baby room we focus on the 3 prime areas of learning; Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Physical Development and Communication and Language. Here is an example of how some of our actives promote development.

Painting and Messy Play

Painting and messy play is great for children of all ages. They all learn from it in different ways. For the babies, it is great for developing in all the 3 primes areas of learning. It is great for building the confidence to try new things. These activities a great start to exploring early mark making and beginning to develop the skills needed for future mark making and writing. As we usually do our activities in a group we a constantly encouraging communication and social skills by interacting with the other children and the adults talking about the activity with the children. The different textures and smells the babies experience make the activities very sensory, encouraging brain development.  Finally, the different types of painting and messy play that we offer to the children encourages different movements to promote physical development ranging from small manipulative to large gross motor skills.

Babies learning is all about exploring. The main thing with all the activities in the baby room is that there is no wrong answer or wrong way to do something. We encourage the children to use their imaginations and think for themselves. To work out through trial and error ways that things can be done. We encourage curiosity and exploration.  The babies constantly give the staff ideas of new ways to approach and activity.

Messy Play is a great activity for the babies that is enjoyed by all!

We hold regular Baby Messy Play sessions at the Spinney Bell Meadow which are free to attend. To find out more, please contact us at the Spinney Day Nursery Bell Meadow. Contact information can be found here