Nature is Essential: Why Children Must Play in Mud and Rain
Children playing in the yard, playing in the water, getting wet in the rain, playing in the mud — many parents see these as unhygienic activities. So, they try to prevent it, thinking the child might fall ill or get an infection. But that’s actually a misconception.
If children are to develop proper intelligence, attention, and good health, they must be allowed to play in mud, water, and rain. Only then will their immune system develop properly.
The tastes, smells, touches, and sounds they experience from the mud, water, and nature all positively influence their sensory processing and neuro-maturation. If children are to grow up healthy, they must have the ability — or at least the opportunity — to interact well with nature, mud, water, and animals.
Let them get wet in the rain, let them play in the mud — they must experience all of this. Even if they catch a fever once from the rain, it is only by being exposed again that their body will learn not to fall sick next time.
If they get wet in the rain, just changing their clothes is enough. If they play in the mud, simply washing hands thoroughly before eating is enough.
Even if they fall and get hurt on a rock or a plant, it gives them some courage and helps them understand nature better. They will learn from a young age how to handle challenges. Even if they get a small cut on their foot, just cleaning it well with water and soap is enough.
There’s no need to overprotect them, fearing they might get hurt or infected.