Fun Outdoors at Child Care
Most kids love to be outdoors this time of year. Does your child’s caregiver offer more outside activities when the weather is warmer? There are many ways to set up an outdoor classroom. Here are some ways it can be done:
- At activities can be expanded when done outdoors. Cleaning up is easier!
- A reading corner can be under a shady tree or bush.
- Picnics are fun for meals and snacks.
- The children can explore and observe nature outdoors. They can watch bugs, birds, animals, and see how plants grow. They can look for changes in trees and bushes from spring to summer to fall.
- There’s more space outdoors for circle games and music activities.
- Quiet times can include looking at the clouds or birds flying overhead.
- Sand boxes are great for digging, pouring, and imaginary play.
- Water play is a way to cool off on a hot day. This can be at a water table or with some plastic tubs for pouring, floating, and splashing activities. Lawn sprinklers are fun for children to run through on a hot day and are safer than wading pools and swimming pools. There must always be close adult supervision of young children during water play. Use "touch supervision." Be within an arm’s length at all times around water. Never leave a child alone near any source of water.
The Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension Better Kid Care Program
has information on children's issues for early childhood educators, child
care providers, and parents on the Better Kid Care Web site at: www.betterkidcare.psu.edu.
Outdoor Times Should Be Safe for Kids
Outdoor times need to be safe for children at child care. When looking for child care for your child, look around and ask questions to be sure these things are happening at the home or center you are checking.
- There are enough adults to supervise.
- The outside play area is checked and cleaned up each time before play.
- Drinking water is available at all times.
- Is there a shady place for play? The children need to be able to get out of the hot sun sometimes when they play outdoors.
- Adults are close by during any type of water play. That means "touch supervision" -- being within an arm's length of a child near water at all times.
- Sand boxes are covered when not being used.
- Play equipment is checked for broken parts and sharp edges daily.
- Play equipment with metal parts is in a shady area and checked prior to play to see if it is cool enough to be safe.
- Children have sun screen applied before being out in the sun. Parents need to provide the sun screen with a 15 SPF or higher for children over six months of age. Include written consent for the caregiver to use the sun screen on your child. Infants under six months of age should not be exposed to the sun.
The Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension Better Kid Care Program has information on children's issues for early childhood educators, child care providers, and parents on the Better Kid Care Web site at: www.betterkidcare.psu.edu.
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Nancy Wilson, Better Kid Care Program Specialist
Penn State Better Kid Care Program
253 Easterly Parkway
State College, PA 16801
e-mail: naw6@psu.edu
Phone: 814-863-5880
Fax: 814-865-7893
