MOVEMENT, MESS, AND LEARNING! | We set up a toy car wash—and it was a total hit with Titus. All we used was a bin of warm, soapy water, a towel and a fleet of toy cars.
While Titus dunked, scrubbed, and rinsed, I realized just how much this hands-on activity gave him the perfect opportunity to move, explore, and play, all while practicing developmental skills.
The Guilford Basics reminds us how important it is to Explore Through Movement and Play—and that’s exactly what we did. Whether it’s squishing bubbles, driving cars through “car wash” tunnels, or splashing in a soapy puddle, every action helps build brain connections.
Titus worked on fine motor skills by gripping the towel. He practiced new words like “dirty,” “shiny,” and “dry.” He called out the color of each car as he dumped it into the water and decided which one needed “extra scrubbing.” His imagination was in full gear!
As we played, I followed Titus’s lead. I asked questions like, “Which car is the dirtiest?” and “Do you want to wash the red one or the blue one next?” Giving him choices helped build his confidence while showing him that his ideas matter.
It was messy, simple, and full of joy—a reminder that learning often hides inside everyday moments of play.
By Candace Martin
