The children were presented with their first mud kitchen last Thursday, which is an outdoor play kitchen where children make their own delicacies out of mud, sand and whatever other outdoor materials are available to them.

Lake Bolac College year nine students helped make the kitchen, and a grant from Willaura/Lake Bolac Bendigo Bank branch worth about $1100 helped purchase the pots, pans, tables and chairs.

Parents Advisory Group Sarah Whinney said the kitchen was a great opportunity for the kids.

“It’s something they can use next to the sand pit and make mud to cook things with,” she said.

“They can have their own cafe at the kinder and have a bit of fun with that. 

“I think it is just a great example of a partnership between the college and the kinder and the students will enjoy it hopefully for many years to come.”

Ms Whinney said that there are specific skills that children can gain from mud kitchens.

“Mud play stimulates children’s imagination as they are thinking of ideas and role play scenarios,” she said.

“Children will use role play as a way of developing their social and emotional understanding.”

The activity is also a way of removing technology from the play room and getting kids active and outdoors, she said.

“Mud is a fun resource where children can get real hands on learning opportunities,” she said.

“As children touch the mud and squelch it through their fingers, they can develop their sensory skills.

“As we know, sensory play is crucial in helping brain development as it connects the nerves together, which in turn helps learning.”