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Ten Tips for Taking Playschoolers Outdoors
Ten Tips for Taking Playschoolers Outdoors
Start with free play. Playing outdoors, exploring textures and colors, running and jumping, designing and building are all learning activities in and of themselves.
Continue with short focused trips outside. A ten-minute walk can yield lots of observations. If possible, ask additional adults to come along for outdoor activities.
Be safe. Preview the space to be explored whenever possible. Point out dangers such as broken glass or thorny plants. Make sure everyone has appropriate clothing for the weather and think about a plan in case of emergency.
Encourage respect for nature. Tell children that they need to respect plants and animals just like they respect one another. Be a good role model by being gentle with leaves and insects. Before you go out, talk about whether it is okay to pick flowers (some yes, some no) or collect worms.
Focus on one question or phenomenon, such as “Can you find anything green outside?” or “What sounds do you hear?” Make sure students know what they are looking and listening for before they go outside.
Look for things to study in unlikely places. Children can find amazing things looking at brick walls, rock outcrops, lawns, broken pavement, and weeds.
Encourage a sense of wonder. If you don’t know the names of plants or birds, don’t worry. Just make sure children are observing and using their senses. There are plenty of field guides available if children want to try to identify something.
Visit the same spot multiple times over the course of the year. Even in winter; there can be interesting rocks, twigs, birds, and signs of animals to observe.
Draw and write. When students record observations, they are more focused and have more to think and talk about when you get back inside.
Be flexible. You never know what you might see. If the lesson is about clouds, but a cluster of ladybugs captures children’s attention, be ready to change your plans.
Developmentally appropriate activities are activities or tasks you can do with your child that take into consideration their age-related abilities and pair that with their potential to engage and learn new things or practice new skills. (There's tons of secret learning happening here!) Yes, these tasks may take longer now, but if you give them plenty of time to work through at a pace that isn't rushed, you'll thank yourself later when you see how independent your child becomes!
12 to 18 months
12 to 18 months
KITCHEN
Pour glass of water/milk using small jug
Add milk to oatmeal/cereal
Scoop cereal into bowl
Wipe spills with hand towel
Take plate to kitchen
Drink from a small glass
BEDROOM
Fetch diaper/underwear
Bring dirty clothes to laundry basket
Open curtains
Choose between two options for outfit
Get dressed with assistance
Take off socks
BATHROOM
Brush hair
Brush teeth with assistance
Wash hands
Pack away bath toys
Fetch and hang up towel
Wiping tub with sponge
OTHER
Help to pack away toys
Fetch shoes
Help parents, e.g. “Can you bring me the watering can, please?”
Turn on/off light switch
18 months to 3 years
18 months to 3 years
12 to 18 month list plus...
KITCHEN
Prepare a snack/sandwich
Peel and slice banana
Peel mandarin
Peel and cut apple with assistance
Wash fruit and vegetables
Make orange juice
Set the table
Clear the table
Wipe table
Sweep floor
Use dustpan and brush
Make coffee for parents (push buttons on coffee machine, fetch cup and saucer, scoop and measure coffee)
BEDROOM
Help to make bed--pulling up sheets, blankets and fluffing pillow
Choose clothesddd
Get dressed with little help
BATHROOM
Blow nose
Brush teeth
Wash body (Use travel bottles to minimize waste)
Clean face
OTHER
Arrange flower in small vases
Pack and carry bag/backpack
Put on coat
Put on shoes with velcro
Water plants
Tidy toys into baskets and return to shelf
Clean windows
Load/unload washing machine and dryer
Sort socks and clothing by color
Fetch products in supermarket/help unpack groceries
Dust
Put lead on dog and brush dog
3 to 4 years
3 to 4 years
Previous task lists plus...
KITCHEN
Unpack dishwasher
Baking (measuring and mixing ingredients)
Scrub and peel vegetables (potatoes, carrots)
Assist with cooking
BEDROOM
Make bed
Pack clothes into drawer/wardrobe
Dress without assistance
BATHROOM
Use toilet
Close toilet seat and flush toilet
Place wet clothing in dirty laundry
Wipe with assistance after using toilet
Wash hair (use travel bottles to minimize waste)
OTHER
Feed pets
Help with recycling
Fold laundry
Pair and fold socks
Vacuum
Open the car door
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