I was fairly certain the dress I sent my child to preschool in was blue. It was just after noon, and I could spy her walking up the trail with her class, but it looked like she was now wearing black pants and a longish black top. Maybe she borrowed some clothes, I mused. As they got closer, though, I could see she was wearing the same clothes, just covered in mud.
The teacher stared at me, chuckled and said, "She had fun." How did you get so muddy? I asked as we walked back to the car, guessing a puddle was involved.
When was the last time you jumped in a puddle? As adults, we tend to see those small and big pools of water lying on the ground as inconvenient. Things to be avoided. But for kids, they're full of wonder. An opportunity.
When you're little, puddles are magic. They're here and gone and then here again. My daughter has yet to find one she doesn't want to jump in. The sheer joy she takes in her feet hitting the water is contagious.
As I buckle her into her car seat and we start the drive home, she's chatting a mile a minute. Asking what I made her for lunch. Pb&J. When will she go to Nana's and Grandpa's? Tomorrow. Will Aunt Steph and Betty be there? I don't know, maybe. We can call and ask. Can D sleep at her house? Yes. Maybe. If her mom says, it's ok. When will I go back to school? Friday. What day is today? Wednesday. What day is tomorrow? By the time we get home, I'm tempted just to make her step into the outdoor shower, but it's late March and still cold. How did you get so muddy? I ask again. Miss M said not to jump in the mud puddle, but I did. Was it fun? Yes. Good, but why do you think Miss M didn't want you to jump in the puddle? It was muddy, but I had my boots on.
I have always loved rainy days. As a child spending summer weeks with my grandmother, we'd take long walks in the drizzle. As an adult, they've provided an excuse to slow down, linger over a morning coffee, sink into the couch, and read or watch a movie. But I really love them now as a parent. Most days, I encourage puddle jumping. Let's go outside, and we can find some puddles to jump in, I'll suggest, to get us out of the house during the rain. Some days, though, like when I'm trying to get us from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible, I see puddles as a nuisance. In those moments, I'll remind my daughter we can't jump in puddles if we don't have boots on.
A good pair of wellies is essential. It takes the stress out of worrying, at least for me, about how wet she'll get.
American and British children spend about half as much time outdoors as their parents did, spending instead up to 7 hours a day on screens, not including time in school. In a world where we spend less and less time outside, puddles are a connection to nature. A reason to explore.
For little kids, puddles are a lesson in the natural world of how rain falls, where it collects, and what happens as the sun comes out and dries it up. They're a way for kids to practice movement: a game of "follow the leader," walking and running around puddles and jumping both in and over. They're made for exploration, with a tossed rock or a stick that pokes to see the depth. And if we want to get particularly educational about puddles, they can be measured or used to teach new words like splash or kick.
But for me, the magic lies in that instant our feet hit the water. The joy my child finds in it. The laugh it produces. That connection to nature. Families who feel connected to nature feel more responsible for protecting the environment. And more people wanting to protect the environment is crucial to how societies will be able to mitigate the climate crisis. But besides that, spending time outside is essential to our children's physical and psychological development, especially in their early years. Children who feel connected to nature are happier and more likely to share and develop strong friendships than children who do not. And anyone, no matter their age, that spends time outdoors tends to be more joyful, content and less anxious. The more we participate in outdoor activities, the more we experience increased regulation, flexibility and adaptability.
Plus, they're fun. This summer, I hope you jump in some puddles.
̴ Bridget
Reading: I loved the look into how nature can heal in The Nature Fix by Florence Williams. I'm a huge fan of Alexis Nicole Nelson and was thrilled to see her win a James Beard Foundation Award last week. In The Kitchn, she talks about Juneteenth, foraging and more.
Working: On a piece about sound mapping for Modern Farmer and a story on farm-to-school food also for Modern Farmer.
Published: "Tiny Kitchen Cooking Tips from Chef Annie Mahle, Who Works in a Galley Kitchen on a Boat" for Martha Stewart Living, and "The Teenagers Are Attempting To Create Inclusive Communities," for The Day Magazine.