With warmer temperatures, longer days and the promise of summer just around the corner, spring is an exciting time of year. But the weather can flip from hot and sunny one day, to wild and windy the next, which can be frustrating. That’s why the kindy team at Little Thinkers kindergarten in Cambridge has come up with six tips to help you maximise outdoor play with your children this spring.
- Layers, layers, layers
The first tip that any kindergarten teacher will give you is to think layers during the spring season. In Cambridge, a day can start brisk yet become blistering by noon, so children need to be prepared. Layering warmer clothing on top of cooler items lets you adapt and adjust as the mercury fluctuates.
- There’s no such thing as bad weather
While we’re on the topic of weather, kindy teachers have a saying: there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. You’ve probably noticed that your toddler or preschooler is just as happy in the rain, wind or shine. Embrace their perspective – so long as they are dressed appropriately, they can spend ages outside at kindy regardless of what spring throws at you.
- Have that hat and sunscreen handy
This is the time of year when you can easily get caught out and end up with sunburnt kids if you’re not careful. The UV can return in full force in October, but your mind may still be in winter mode. Here’s your friendly reminder that it’s time to have sun hats, sunscreen and plenty of drinking water at the ready.
- Visit your local parks, playgrounds and beaches
Outdoor play doesn’t have to be limited to your own yard and kindy centre. Spend a Saturday morning at your local park, go for an afternoon bike ride or cap the weekend with a trip to the beach. Getting out is an affordable and fun activity that encourages independence, helps them push past their physical limits and teaches them about pedestrian safety.
- Get creative
At our Cambridge kindergarten, we love trying to match our youngsters’ imagination when playing outdoors. A windy October’s day can be a tornado; the sprinkler can transform the backyard into a sun shower. Grab a parachute, paint brushes and water, or some good old-fashioned chalk. Getting creative with outdoor play is a fun way to engage with your children while fostering their imagination.
- Growing green fingers
Spring is the time to plant your gardens, so why not include your children in sowing seeds and pulling weeds? Youngsters make great little helpers, and few can resist getting their hands dirty. Plus, gardening engages all their developing senses while teaching them the invaluable lesson about where their food comes from.
Kindy kids are outdoor kids
Even if you can’t get outside as much as you’d like, at Little Thinkers kindy in Cambridge, you can rest assured that your little ones are getting a healthy dose of vitamin D. Get in touch and secure a spot today.