Free Play

A toddler wades into a man-made pond at the park, then plops herself down in the water.  Mom laughs and stands at the edge of the pond, supervising from a close distance.  Nearby another mother watches as her five year old makes sandballs, dipping her hands into a pail of water, grabbing a handful of black, wet sand to roll and shape into her desired shape, size and consistency.  

The dripping child from the pond loses interest in the water and wanders off toward the sandbox where she too wants to make sandballs.  Naturally all the children are covered in sand, and it's not nice and clean sand.  It is black and constantly left out in the elements.  It's not unlikely to find a cigarette butt or other garbage in the sandbox, and who knows how many cats use it at their litter box.

Is it irresponsible parenting or a wonderful opportunity for the children?

I admit that I have a hard time allowing my kids to become so deliciously dirty as they learn, play and discover.  In sand and water they come to know the properties of both.  They pour, lift and measure and they make plans to follow through and they develop large and fine motor skills.  They learn that when they play in water they get wet, and when they play in sand they become dirty which is cause and effect.  They learn that they might feel uncomfortable, or some might enjoy the sensations.

But perhaps best of all, they are learning that they are free to explore and investigate and try new things.

Did it make life more difficult for Mom?  Absolutely!  There is extra laundry to deal with as well as the added logistical hassle of the trip home from the park.  It's not always easy to clean all that sand out of the hidden folds of skin young children have.

What about the dirt, germs, garbage and bacteria?  If the children are generally unhealthy with weak immune systems, that could be a problem.  With otherwise healthy children, as long as they are not eating the sand or drinking the water, they build up a healthy immune system by playing outside and becoming dirty.

The key is to remember:

Children are washable.