As the weather begins to warm up, there’s no better time to bring your students out in the sunshine. In fact, according to a study published in the June 2015 Pediatrics, outdoor activities are important for preschooler’s healthy growth and development. Here are five activities you can do with your preschool class outside this spring.
1. Reading
Teaching your students how to read doesn’t need to be confined to the classroom. Find a shaded spot and gather your students together for story time in the fresh air. No matter what the story is about, sharing books with your students will help them expand their vocabulary and inspire a curiosity about the world around them.
2. Skill-based Games
Activities that use large muscles of the body such as running, jumping and throwing can help preschoolers build their gross motor skills. Organize a game of Hopscotch or Simon Says to help build these skills and get your students moving.
3. Arts and Crafts
When preschooler’s tap into their creativity and use their imagination, they are positively influencing their intellectual, emotional and social development. Bringing your students to a new environment can help them expand their imagination and exercise their creativity in a new way.
4. Nature Walk
As young children are developing, it’s important they get experiences in the natural world. Nature walks are a great way to do just that! On your walk, ask your students to point on different things they see and hear. Not only will they have fun as they explore the world around them, this can be a great opportunity for them to learn new things.
5. Free Play
A new environment can kick-start creativity and make playtime that much more exciting for preschoolers. Allowing students time to have free play outdoors is vital for their overall development and wellbeing. Additionally, outdoor play can help reduce the risk for childhood obesity.