Rain, Rain… Don’t Go Away!
Now I may be a little out-numbered here when I say that I find rainy days quite enjoyable. I like the feeling of being warm and cosy indoors, especially when you can hear the rain too lashing on the windows, I love the feeling of warming up after being out in the rain, how you feel the heat returning to your cheeks and your feet in particular, but most importantly, despite being an ‘adult’ I love to play in the rain! I will never be too old to put on my wellies and play in the mud and puddles or to catch them rain drops on my tongue.
As a Forest School practitioner and after working many years in a school environment, I have lost count of how many times parents (and dinner ladies come to think of it) have been reluctant to let their children play out in the rain, there seems to be an ideology that playing in rain means instant illness, which is not the case at all if you are dressed appropriately. There is also the fact that clothes may get wet and muddy too, but clothes wash and dry, the signs of wet play will disappear, what won’t disappear is the memories and the benefits children will get from being out in the rain!
Still not convinced? Well let me share with you some of these benefits which will hopefully change your mind and have you donning those wellies to join in with your child’s rainy-day adventures.
Benefits of Rain Play:
Rain means slippier conditions, how is this a benefit? Well, this means children’s physical skills are enhanced. To make sure they remain upright children need to maintain their balance and as they explore their new slippier environment, they will be faced with new physical challenges which will help to develop their gross motor skills.
Rain play strengthens the connection with nature as they learn to enjoy and adapt to the different weather conditions mother nature has to offer.
Rain is fantastic for providing sensory experiences! It isn’t just wet, it also brings along with it different sounds, sights, touches and even smells (I can always smell when there has been a good storm.) In fact, taste senses can also be explored in rain if your child is like me and enjoys catching rain drops on their tongue.
Playing in the rain means learning! Not only do they learn about water but children can also become mini scientists when playing in the rain. It reminds children that water doesn’t always come from a tap. Concepts of water cycles can be introduced; children may become curious about clouds and other kinds of weathers. Rainy days also bring out different mini-beasts, something else for children to explore and discover.
Children begin to learn how to look after themselves when it is raining, they begin to consider what they may need in order to ensure playing out in the rain is an enjoyable experience. This then begins to develop their self-care and independence skills.
So, you see… rain isn’t all bad at all! So next time its drizzling out there, don’t begin singing for the rain to go away, put on your wellies and go enjoy the day!
