About the author Alana Steyn, a Napier mum-of-2, launched Mud Mates over a decade ago to provide practical solutions for keeping children clean and dry during messy and outdoor play. Proudly handcrafted in Hawke’s Bay, Mud Mates offers high-quality wet weather over-garments, elasticated fitted tablecloths, personalised wet bags, and many more innovative products ideal for families and in early childcare education. With a focus on practicality, affordability, and supporting NZ-made, Mud Mates is your go-to for hassle-free outdoor and messy play. For more, visit www.mudmates.co.nz/ece Explore the Mud Mates blog for creative play ideas, including messy play, sensory activities, arts and crafts, science experiments, plus valuable tips and tricks for parents, early childhood educators and teachers. www.mudmates.co.nz/blog general co-ordination. Children also learn concepts like empty and full, cause and effect, and wet and dry. Fill a large container with water and bubble bath or dishwashing liquid — the more bubbles, the better! Add some toys, cloths, and old toothbrushes or scrubbing brushes, and encourage your children to wash the toys. You can also include scoops, cups, and buckets. Place a smaller container with clean water next to the bubbly water for rinsing the toys, and provide a towel for drying them. More Sensory Play Ideas ● Cornflour gloop/oobleck ● Colouring sorting games ● Shadow play ● Musical instrument exploration ● Storytelling with sound effects ● Herb garden exploration ● Finger painting ● Mystery bag full of objects they can touch but cannot see ● Puddle painting HALF PAGE MASTER OF EDUCATION EARLY CHILDHOOD MORE INFORMATION auckland.ac.nz/med-ec Step into the future of education with the University of Auckland’s Master of Education (Early Childhood) programme! Our cuttingedge courses, designed by renowned researchers, offer advanced, multidisciplinary knowledge. We integrate Māori and Pacific perspectives, providing a unique, culturally rich experience. Tailored for teachers, researchers, social workers, and more, our flexible programme leads from postgraduate certification to a masters degree. In a landscape where dedicated masters programmes for early childhood are scarce in New Zealand, our offering stands out. Expand your depth of knowledge, develop research-informed expertise and equip yourself with new skills including the ability to advocate for diverse communities. Be a leader in your field, sought-after by professional sectors and world-ranking universities. Join the education revolution at the University of Auckland! July 2024 { 42 }
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