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In our free 1‑clock-hour course, Playing Outdoors, we discuss the importance of outdoor play for young children.
Playing Outdoors covers many strategies to help support young children’s outdoor exploration.
In this blog we’ll discuss a few ways you can prepare for outdoor play even when the weather isn’t perfect.
The importance of outdoor play
So just how important is playing outdoors year-‘round?
Play offers many benefits for young children, and the outdoors offers limitless possibilities for children’s play.
As a result, outdoor play is important even when the weather isn’t perfect.
Twelve months of play
Cold, snowy, rainy, and hot weather may present an obstacle to outdoor play, but in many cases it need not prevent it.
Cold-weather play
Here are some ideas to prepare for outdoor play in cold weather.
Prepare: the children
- keep each child’s coats, mittens, hats, scarves, and other cold-weather gear in a designated spot for easy access
- ensure that each child has their own supply of sunscreen
- ask the children’s families to dress their children in multiple thin layers. When children play outside (even in cold weather) they may become sweaty. Taking off one layer at a time can be helpful as children warm up as they play.
- before you take the children out, check your area’s UV Index here: www.epa.gov
- before you take the children out, check your area’s air quality here: airnow.gov
- choose the time you go outside based on the weather, the UV index, and the air quality.
Consider setting up a donation box for families to drop off winter clothes as their children outgrow them.
Collect, launder, and store spare coats (rain and winter), mittens/gloves, hats, scarves, and boots to ensure that all children can enjoy the outdoors even if they don’t have appropriate attire.
Prepare: the space
- check for ice in all areas
- look for water from melted ice
- check for icicles
Place an absorbent rug in your entrance area where the children can leave their snow and rain boots to dry after they are finished outdoors.
Ask families to supply a pair of indoor shoes for their children to change into. Toxins and chemicals such as pesticides, animal excrement, antifreeze, ice melt, and motor oil are easily tracked inside on shoes. Infants crawl on the floor, put their hands in their mouths, and will ingest these contaminants if they have been tracked inside.
Although cold weather does not cause or spread illness, cold temperatures and dry air can make people more susceptible to certain illnesses. However, germs spread more easily indoors during winter months and spending time outdoors strengthens children’s immune systems.
Hot-weather play
Here are some ideas to prepare for outdoor play when it’s hot.
Prepare: the space and the children
- ensure that there are shady areas for the children
- before going outside, apply sunscreen to the children following your state’s regulations (never use sunscreen on infants under 6 months). Don’t forget lips and ears!
- ensure children are wearing clothing that protects them from the sun’s rays. Long-sleeved shirts, hats and sunglasses are all important.
- make sure children are well-hydrated before they engage in outdoor physical activity. This is important at any time of the year, but particularly so when it’s hot.
- choose the time you go outside based on the weather, the UV index, and the air quality.
During messy outdoor play on hot days, children may enjoy using a hose to wash their muddy hands and feet before coming indoors.
Remember that infants are particularly vulnerable to sunburn. Keep them in the shade and out of the sun.
Take precautions to protect all children from sunburn by scheduling outdoor time in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the sun’s most intense rays.
Limit direct sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. This is especially important in the summer months. A good rule of thumb is to seek shade whenever your shadow is shorter than you. This means that the sun is overhead and UV radiation is the strongest. For more information on the importance of protecting children from the dangers of UV radiation, take our 2‑clock-hour course, Sun Safety.
Limit outdoor time when it’s not safe
Keep children inside during extreme heat or cold and inclement weather—blizzards, thunderstorms, lightning, and so forth. In addition, monitor outdoor air quality for hazardous conditions.
How much time should children spend outdoors?
Strive to incorporate ample outdoor time all year long.
As few as 5 or 10 minutes per day can help prevent illness and provide children with stimulating sensory experiences.
Interested in learning more about the benefits of outdoor play? Looking for interesting outdoor activities? Enroll in our free online child care training course Playing Outdoors now!
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