VIDEO: ‘Fun Mud Day’ mediates mini-shenanigans

Adorable antics were abundant during Fun Mud Day on May 1 at Eastern's Child and Family Development Resource Center (CFDRC). The 12th annual event encourages young children to get dirty as they maneuver the on-campus preschool's muddy playground.

“This is one of the most important events at the CFDRC because it brings the families and children together,” said CFDRC Teacher Leisha Flynn. “They all get to try new things that they would never try anywhere else.” 

The event is coordinated by education Professor Darren Robert and CFDRC Director Niloufar Rezai with the help of 25 physical education majors mediating the muddy activities. Parents were able to participate in the obstacle course alongside their children.

"Fun Mud Day is such a great opportunity for children and their families to take risks," said Rezai. "The children are able to have fun while exercising and getting dirty, fostering social-emotional development and feeling confident when they accomplish feats that they didn't think they could." 

“All the parents and families are here watching their kids play, which they don't get to do often since their kids are at school most of the day,” added junior education major Eve Pelletier. “The parents get to be here and be actively involved as their kids go through the course.” 

Senior education major Digby Ludlow helped out at the event for the third year in a row. “To be able to give back to the elementary school and the kids is important, especially as a teacher,” he said. “This event has let me make (many) connections within the community during my time here at Eastern.” 

Robert has spearheaded the event year after year, continuously highlighting the emphasis on healthy risk-taking and development of gross motor skills in a world where children are increasingly preoccupied with technology. 

“We're trying to make sure that the preschoolers know it's okay to get muddy and get their hands dirty,” he said. 

He continued: “I'm hoping that some of the volunteers here today take it back to their school when they eventually become teachers. Some of our past graduates are asking me to come to their school and do it and have put on amazing mud days of their own.”