Preparing to go outside at Just Like GRAMMY & POPPOP’s

It’s not an easy task to get a class of infants, toddler, or preschoolers ready to go outside. You might think about it more in the winter about all of the layers to put on to stay warm, but the summer is a lot of work too! Thank you, Teachers! First, you want to make sure you are always guiding behaviors and cleaning up before the inside space is abandoned for outside play. So the clean up songs start playing or teachers start singing and children look for what they should do next.  I hear through the halls, “William, I see a book. Can you put the book away?”  “Good job, William!” and soon they are making their way to the bathroom for diaper changes, potty attempts, clothing changes, and…. SUNSCREEN application.

Tick tock, tick tock

It takes time and each child is at a different level so assistance happens in a variety of ways. Growth is so rewarding as you observe a child on day 1 of limp arms as you manipulate the disrobing and dressing into the swim wear followed by a blink-of-an-eye it seems of that same child taking their own shirt off and putting on their water clothes. It all takes time though when you have a handful of children and one teacher. They all have their own routines and systems and I admire them all!

Away they go

After they get their sunscreen on, they march outside to see what might await them to get their hands on.  This week we had our first real water day as it took a while to get our outside faucet working for the season.  We had an obstacle type inflatable water activity that sprayed water in different directions with tunnels to crawl through or sprays to jump in. From the infants who got their feet wet to the school aged summer campers – they truly had a blast!

Before you know it

It does seem long, and if you asked the children, I don’t think they are ever ready, but 30 minutes of outside play goes by fast! Before you know it, they are marching back inside with their towels and water bottles in hands to disrobe, diaper changes, potty attempts, and getting their dry clothes back on. Again, all by [mostly] one teacher per classroom. Usually by this time, the energy is spent, so they are ready for lunch and quickly followed by rest time!

Here is a Facebook post of a video reel of our recent outside play at Just Like GRAMMY & POPPOP’s. Enjoy and we hope you have a lovely summer of fun, whatever you may be doing!