Why kids should jump in puddle

5 reasons why kids should jump in a puddle

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The rainy season is synonyms to piping hot tea, slow mornings, and jump in a puddle.

Sadly, every time we jump in a puddle, we get few scrunched noses or oh-no voices in the backdrop. Well-meaning people around us who are misinformed, I guess, do exist. To think of it I don’t remember many children who have ever joined Penguin who are allowed to jump in a puddle. Most parents or caregivers tend to have a different notion about “puddles”. I am not totally against their view but I do not understand why most people avoid it every single time. One might choose to skip it if he or she is donning a really expensive outfit or are running late for some business. Yet often do choose to jump in a puddle.

Let children jump on muddy puddles
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Two years ago, when Penguin was introduced to rain he was in awe of nature. He was blown away with the coolness of breeze and spark in lightening. Last year, he used to request me to put on raincoat and boots to jump in puddles. Every time, we used to go downstairs in our society he would love catching rain and float paper boats. This year he is waiting for rain eagerly. Watching clouds floating he would sing on “I hear thunder” or “Rain, rain, go away”. As pre-monsoon is already here, he goes on jumping -splashing puddles.  

So, here I bring 5 reasons to jump in that muddy muddy puddle.

5 reasons why kids should jump in a puddle

1.       Bend some rules

There is no denying we set some boundaries with due freedom for our kids especially crawlers, walkers, and runners in house. When we go outdoors, let’s bend some rules. Let them enjoy nature and explore it. Allow them to happily jump, run and destress. Studies say that outdoor play is one of the best ways to utilize a toddler’s energy. Let them jump, roll and laugh when in the lap of nature. Including jumping in the puddle.

2.       Learn few major skills

  • Estimation – splash the puddle and get a mental estimate of depth, volume of water content, etc.
  • Measuring – kids to learn a difference between large and small-sized puddle naturally.
  • Motor skills – jump, kick, need to say more?
  • Prediction – a skill that can be lifesaving in the future, the reaction time and prediction of the next course of action.
  • Spatial awareness – the awareness to understand and interact with the environment

3.       Build up immunity

Playing in the dirt and muddy puddles build immunity. This is not a mother’s words rather proved by research studies. Contrary to popular notion, Hygiene hypothesis, excessive hygiene leads to an abrupt decline in natural exposure to all sorts of microbes. So, when a child interacts with the environment the microbes present help to balance immune responses. Less illness and stronger immunity would lead to a happier childhood.

4.       Engage in physical exercise

Kids never need gym because play is their exercise. All that jumping, kicking, thumping and gross motor movements strengthen their muscles. Puddles give them a perfect opportunity to splash some water, stomp like an elephant and jump all day. A growing child needs this kind of exposure. As prolonged sessions of inactivity are not encouraging to their muscular development.

5.       Color their imagination

A pirate lover can imagine an island in those puddles while another might just give their cars a reason for a wash. Leave kids to imagine the puddles in endless ways. One might just choose to mindfully watch his reflection and floating clouds. Alternatively, one might weave a story of a frog jumping around. The world needs creative people and those who can communicate with nature. Give children a chance to be there while you join in their play or just watch them.

Do you know May 4th is celebrated as National Puddle Day in Canada in honor of young lives that were cut too short?

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54 thoughts on “5 reasons why kids should jump in a puddle”

  1. Pingback: Can your boy play with a doll? - Life with my Penguin

  2. This is very true that we are restricting out kids to play in mud but we really don’t know that this mud had number of minerals in it and how playing in mud effect a baby’s mind. Very genuine points you have raised.

  3. Yeh i was waiting for this post

    Jumping in puddles was my favorite work during rains

    You are a great mother definitely

    Salute a mom like you

    Nice post

    1. Thanks for the appreciation Anurag ji, but I am just like all moms. This was an expression of my thoughts as I find very few kids jumping on puddles.

  4. Loved your post, Pragnya. Now I would say that every parent should read this post and understand that sometimes it’s good to let kids enjoy the way they want to. Putting boundaries is not always a good idea and parents must look at the brighter side too.

  5. These are some amazing pointers. Nowadays kids don’t get the kind of upbringing we had. My son is so cleanliness freak that he never jumps in puddles. He would jump at home or bathroom though and enjoy the spash of water.

  6. What a coincidence that Today I also wrote about a similar topic. Why kids should enjoy rains being outside!! My son is crazy about rain. I literally have to stop him from getting drenched. He loves to get wetted, jump in puddles and just dance. Two days back only, he started roaming outside of the our house when it started raining, and seeing his happiness other kids of locality also joined him. They had a gala time with enjoying the rain.

  7. Wow, so we have all the valid reasons to jump in puddles now.
    Loved the imaginations, and glad to know of the motor and major skills kids get to learn.

    1. Sometimes its best to leave kids to do whatever they wish to. It helps them learn a lot on their own and be independent at an early age. Instead most of the parents choose to be overprotective and nag the kids away and make them dependent. Later they expect independence from them, its so unfair. Every parent should read this post. Thanks for sharing. Great post. Loved it. 😊🤗

    1. Just came back from a rainy outing. I love how my little one enjoy monsoons. Definitely we need to ease a little and enjoy every littlle thing kids do in rains. Jumping in puddles is so much fun.

  8. Dr. Surbhi Prapanna

    Loved your unique response to prompt dear. as a parent, sometimes we become overprotective, and does not allow our kids to play in muddy puddles. you had shared some great points and I agree with all of them. #GWNxTNM

    1. What a fresh take on muddy puddles.. so unique.. I never realised that middle puddles can teach life skills too!!! Loved reading this post!!! Thank you 🙂

      1. National puddle day..wow. never heard of it. Jumping in the puddles is not just a monsoon activity but it brings us close to mother nature. You have weaved your post beautifully around the prompt.

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