When organising messy play for very young children, practitioners should think carefully about the sorts of materials offered (see Safety, p18) and how the provision reflects children's interests.
Water is always a favourite and bath times offer an ideal time for babies to explore water, so leave time to play as well as wash. Meal times are another opportunity for messy play, so allow children to explore with their hands as well as their mouths.
Accessibility is important and, as with most activities, messy play for the youngest children should be at their level on or near the floor. Water is much easier to explore when it is in trays on the floor and offers the opportunity to explore without wobbling. Sand is more accessible spread on a large thick plastic sheet, such as a pond liner, with a boundary of blocks to keep it in place.
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