ABSTRACT
Watching a small child for an extended period of time as she pokes, mixes, transforms, discusses, observes and shares her mud play reinforces an oft observed phenomenon of young children and their imaginative play activity with raw, natural materials. As introduced in Chapter 1, an alternative perspective on children’s early development may be seen through an elemental drive to connect with the natural world and all its power, beauty and potential alongside attuned adults. We can support this socio-emotional development and an environment that both allows and encourages instinctive, exploratory and cultural relationships with people, places and things. Working alongside young children, we mediate imaginary play and context.
