Why blog?

Earlyhood childhood education is so important to us as individuals and as a community. This blog is to share our growing knowledge. We want this to serve as a community web post, we want it to be a point of reference, and a point of personal expression. Please leave coments. We hope any guardian of a beautiful child/children, even students can use this site to get inspired and be inspired. Lot's of love. this blog is begging as an ECE 211 Creative curriculum class we are discovering chapter 16: outdoor play; however in our travels, the blog has caught fire so to speak in our center (our community). So, this blog will be expanding to all aspects of caring for children. This blog will be connected to the papillon preschool website! Thank you for this seed, Maurico Palma

OUTDOORPLAYSTHECURE

The youtube add. 

Children with Special Needs and Outdoors

Different actions need to be taken for each individual child, and their special needs. Help children understand their playground. Show them, and explain to them the different areas - where traffic will be, and where it is safe to sit. Help visually impaired children by touching everything, and explaining at the same time. Help hearing impaired children learn the sounds of running feet, or a bicycle moving. If children have a physical impairment, it is best to discuss with their personal care supervisor, or their family to learn their history. Place handle bars, and ramps where needed, and tables of toys, or a water/sand table for children in wheel chairs. There is plenty of help and contact with the 4C's. http://www.sanmateo4cs.org/ 

The Four ways Children Explore the Outdoors

1. Functional Play. Children take in their world with all their senses. Sights, sounds, textures, being able to manipulate and understand objects. Children begin to ask themselves open ended questions, and continuously discover new findings.  
2. Constructive Play. Construction play comes into play when children have already discovered the use of all the toys. Now, they have the opportunity to expand from that; creating more complicated worlds, with blocks, sand/water and sand tools. 
3. Dramatic Play. Children have a wider space to create a more dynamic imaginary world. Out here they can wash, and fill up cars. They can be an ambulance, and save people. They can make "pie" and pour "soup" or "tea".
4. Games with Rules. With the correct given amount of space you can; create large obstacle course, relay races, play hide and seek, or variations of tag games. 

Parent's Role

Just be there! Instead of watching t.v. together, go for a walk! Go to the local park. Going camping is a great family outing. Having a garden in your house. You can plant tomatoes, and add them in your salad! There are sand and water tables available for the home. Even bringing out a box of chalk to draw on the pavement. The best way to create excitement in learning, is to learn with your child. Go out and explore - together. Going outside is a great way to teach your children how to interact with our local environments, and the people in our community. 

Teacher's Role

Just like in the classroom, the teacher plays an important role. Observe the children as they play, making sure to step in when any dangerous situations may occur. Be alert while children are outside! The outdoors allows teacher's to see children interact in a new environment. This gives you the chance to see more strengths and challenges in the individual child. Outdoor's give you the opportunity to spend time with the children, and interact with games, and discovery. Outdoors leads to many confidence building moments. One of the goals of early childhood education is helping to create children full of confidence. 

Considering Weather Conditions

When does weather make it dangerous to go outside?

Heavy rain, freezing temperatures, intense heat, lightening storms, weather-watch alerts, or air-quality alerts. In extreme heat or cold, playground equipment must be checked, if it is metal, has it become to hot or freezing cold? Be sure children skin (and even tongue) is safe from these dangerous situations. If the weather is not dangerous, just a little uncomfortable, children should get the chance to go outdoors - at least for a little while.  If it is really hot, children should have sunscreen, plenty of water, and shade to chill down in. 

How long should children stay outside?

Preferably, children should get the chance to work out their large motor skills, twice a day - once in the morning, and once in the afternoon. Preferably, each being about an hour long. When the weather is really nice, you should extend their outside play. If you have the chance to enjoy art, or meals outside, take the opportunity. The amount spent outside should reflect the amount of hours the early childhood center is open.