How to make the most of those rainy days with your child
‘AH, you can’t go out in that, it’s too wet, you’ll get sick.”
We’re probably all guilty of instilling rainy-day reluctance in our children, but Earth Force Education founder Ciara Hinksman urges a more positive attitude to our typical Irish weather.
A nature connection mentor who visits about 40 primary schools a year, Hinksman runs forest schools in all weathers.
“We go out in rain and snow, though not if there’s a threat of flooding or high winds,” she says.
Otherwise, it’s all systems go for fun in the rain. As long as children stay warm in their core, they’ll be fine, says Hinksman.
“We should be more concerned about what’s going to happen to their eyes if they’re indoors watching screens all day. Whereas, after a day in the rain, they’ll have had lots of fun and have lived their lives more fully.”
For children, parental attitudes to rain are catching: If a parent takes an ‘ah, it’ll be grand’ approach, children will too.
Hinksman says rain is just another element, another way for our senses to absorb nature, and it brings a whole range of sensory stimuli.
Children love puddles, for example; jumping in them, and even walking in and out of them.
“They’re fascinated by the squelchy sounds, the splash, the slippery feeling and working on their balance.
"There’s that moment of unknown before the foot lands and, if other children are in the puddle with them, they can create waves and splashes together. There’s lots of laughter.”
She finds some parents have a “real fear of dirt”.
She encourages them to allow children to be creative with the likes of mud.
“They’ll sit in puddles, kneel in mud, and make fairy sandwiches by putting mud between leaves or potions made from mud, leaves and water.”
Hinksman’s advice is to let kids lead rainy day play. A rivulet running down a hill might have them redirecting the water another way, by making a dam or a bridge.
“Or they might make a raft from a leaf with a stick in the middle for a sail. Watching something float away, they’re hardly aware it’s raining.”
Encourage children to use what nature provides, perhaps fallen branches and leaves to create a waterproof den.
“There’s great satisfaction when they’re able to say ‘oh, it’s not raining so much in here’. They see the benefits and properties of shelter.”
So, even if we’re in for some rainy days during the school holidays, there is a silver lining: The many play opportunities rain offers.
* Be prepared. Get kids to wear wellies, waterproof jacket and trousers. Remember, cotton stays wet for a long time, so the base layer should be of a synthetic fibre.
* Bring spare clothes and a hot drink for afterwards.
* Follow your child’s lead and curiosity. Be patient and let them spend ages playing in puddles or making mud pies.
* Resist the urge to create ‘better’ play for them — what they’re doing is perfect.
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