Jackson celebrates Week of the Young Child with messy lessons

Early childhood students in the Jackson School District got a chance to get messy while learning Thursday as part of a celebration of the Week of the Young Child.

Many of the district's 260 early childhood students at South Elementary School and New McKendree United Methodist Church participated in morning or afternoon sessions of what was dubbed "Dress for a Mess," based on the annual Messy Morning event.

Stations were set up in each classroom where students constructed sand castles, finger -- or hand -- painted with paint or pudding, found letters in shaving cream, manipulated a homemade version of Play-Doh, and stuck their hands in Oobleck, made of cornstarch and water.

South Elementary School principal Jessica Maxwell said the exercises help students work on fine motor skills and literacy.

"Research shows that hands-on activities definitely keep children engaged," Maxwell said.

Danielle Schremp said the activities also get her students' senses involved. She said some of the students don't like to get their hands messy. "Some have never been exposed to this before," Schremp said.

Maddie Maevers, a 5-year-old student in Courtney Uptain's class, was playing in green goo.

"I like it. I'm making a green glove on my hand," Maevers said.

Emma Pylate, 5, was about to draw a butterfly in black magic marker on her white erase board. "It's messy day. That's why we're doing it," she said.

The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, according to information from the district. The purpose is to focus attention on the needs of young children and their families and recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.

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