We got a new water pump in the mud kitchen. The children were unsure about what to do with it at first. Some tried to get the water out of the tub by using plastic cups, while others tried to put dirt into the tub of water. After a teacher demonstrated to the children how the pump worked, the children were eager to have a turn.

Pumping water manually was not an easy task. It required the children to engage all their muscles in order for the water to dispense. In addition, the fact that there was only one pump and at least three other children at the pump became a teachable moment. Children needed to use skills such as problem shoving, turn taking and a little negotiation to continue using the pump.

The addition of the water pump drew more children into the mud kitchen area. While not pumping, the children made mud pies, mud muffins, and mud puddles. We will post more pictures of the mud kitchen later this week.