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Each quarter, Richland First Steps selects one school readiness goal from the South Carolina Early Learning Standards (SCELS) to spotlight and explore throughout our programs for children and families.

This quarter’s readiness goal spotlight focuses on the category of music. Participation in music and musical activities are not only fun and engaging for children but also support their creative expression and cognitive development.

This is what Messy Play looks like!

Birth to 18 months

  • Infants (0-12 months) explore textures, shapes, and cause-effect relationships by handling and mouthing objects. Providing safe items nurtures their curiosity and development.
  • Young toddlers (13-18 months) enjoy drawing with markers and crayons, often using sweeping motions. Large paper helps them understand boundaries, while tearing paper strengthens fine motor skills. Guiding their exploration fosters creativity while preventing unintended messes on walls or furniture.

19 months – 36 months

  • Children at this age begin to experiment more with art materials, sand, and water, focusing on making shapes and using materials with greater precision.
  • They may try to recreate shapes or pictures, combining their thoughts with what they observe.
  • This stage involves problem-solving as they figure out how to draw a house, shape a dog, or mold playdough or clay into specific forms. With guidance from parents or guardians, they can learn to copy and create pictures, enhancing their creative and cognitive development. 

36 months+

  • Children this age will start to show more developed creativity in their art and messy play.
  • They will start to recreate stories that have been read to them or that they have seen on videos.
  • They will try to assume the roles of characters in their play. This will lead to creating and developing their imagination.  

How can parents and teachers support Messy Play?

  • Create a dedicated space in your home or classroom to support children in messy play, fostering a “yes” environment where exploration is encouraged.
  • Allow them to play in the sand, guiding them on how to pour and shape it into objects.
  • When appropriate, let them jump in puddles, helping them understand cause and effect, such as how jumping in a puddle splashes water and gets them wet.
  • Emphasize the fun while also teaching safety.
  • Encourage play with playdough to help strengthen their small muscles.
  • Show them how to make shapes like snakes or snails or use scissors to cut the playdough into pieces.
  • Let the child lead the activity, focusing on their interests and engaging in play together.
  • Embrace the mess, and then guide them in cleaning up, teaching responsibility through collaboration. 

Richland First Steps follows the HSELOF and SCELS models.

Learn more here:
HSELOF
SCELS

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