Day: June 2, 2021

Summer is a great time to explore your community.  Here are a few tips to follow to keep children safe on walks and field trips:

• Make sure to visit field trip locations prior to taking children to the location. The same is true for walks. Plan the walking route and walk it yourself before taking children on the walk. When previewing locations, look for potential hazards, restrooms, places to stop and rest, etc.
• Be sure to have all paperwork and logistics in order, including permission slips, emergency forms, first aid kits, medications, cell phones, etc.
• Create a list of expectations for field trips and walks with the children. Remind the children of the expectations often. Teach children about pedestrian rules to follow when out and about.
• Maintain state-mandated child:staff ratios at all times. Family members can participate in field trips and walk, but they do not count toward ratios.
• Be sure children are wearing nametags that contain program information. Matching t-shirts can also make it easier to identify members of your party.
• Use a buddy system. Work with children to determine what it means to be a buddy (keep your buddy safe, make sure your buddy is always nearby, on the bus, etc.). Review what it means to be a buddy before every field trip and walk.
• For safety, make sure children have water, appropriate clothing and shoes, sunscreen, etc.
• Prepare children for what to expect and hazards to look out for, such as poison ivy, insects, etc.
• Conduct headcounts at regular intervals. These headcounts should be face-to-name counts to be sure you have all of the right children in your group. Conduct face-to-name checks every time your group enters and exits the vehicle. Check all seats of the vehicle when exiting to ensure no children will be left behind.
• Prepare a plan for how to respond to a missing child. Coordinate with the location personnel on how they will assist in locating a lost child.

For the main article Summer Safety, CLICK HERE

For the article Keeping Children Safe from the Heat and Sun, CLICK HERE

For the article Keeping Children Safe near Water, CLICK HERE

For the article Keeping Children Safe While Gardening, CLICK HERE

Gardening is a great learning experience that promotes child development across multiple domains. Here are a few ways you can keep children safe when taking care of the program’s garden:

• Teach children the appropriate use of common gardening tools. Provide children kid-sized tools to prevent accidents from tools that are too big for young children.
• Create a set of garden rules for children to follow. Remind children of the expectations prior to gardening.
• Be sure to choose an appropriate location for your garden. This includes considering where water run-off will end up. You don’t want to create puddles on the playground.
• Only use drinkable water to water your garden.
• Never use manure when gardening with children. Composting is also discouraged, especially if you are unfamiliar with the process. You can add nutrients to the soil in the fall after all plants have been harvested.
• Make note of all food allergies and avoid planning those plants in your garden. Also, note which children are allergic to bee stings. Have a first aid kit with you when children are working in the garden.
• Practice proper handwashing techniques before and after gardening.
• Don’t let children eat items from the garden until they have been properly washed.
• Do not use chemical pesticides.
• For even more gardening tips, click here.

For the main article Summer Safety, CLICK HERE

For the article Keeping Children Safe from the Heat and Sun, CLICK HERE

For the article Keeping Children Safe near Water, CLICK HERE

For the article Keeping Children Safe on Walks and Field Trips, CLICK HERE

To beat the heat, you may organize water activities for children. Here are a few ways you can keep children safe when playing near water:

• Always use close physical supervision during water play. Remain within arms-reach of children during water play. Do not engage in any other activity while supervising water activities.
• Closely follow child:staff ratios (recommendations here) in place in your state for engaging in water play with children.
• Lifeguards should be present in swimming areas but do not count toward child:staff ratios.
• Be sure that all pools meet pool safety requirements that prevent children from being entrapped in filters or other mechanisms.
• Personal flotation devices should be used when children are playing near bodies of water and pools.
• Teach children basic water and pool safety. Create a list of simple rules for children to follow when engaged in water play. Consider swimming lessons for children as well.
• When using sprinklers or splash pads, children should be reminded to walk. Pool shoes should always be worn to prevent slipping.
• If using water bins or tables, always use fresh water. Ensure that the water is discarded and refilled after each group. Avoid using five-gallon buckets.
• Make sure children don’t drink any water used for water play.
• Empty all bins, wading pools, and other standing water.

For the main article Summer Safety, CLICK HERE

For the article Keeping Children Safe from the Heat and Sun, CLICK HERE

For the article Keeping Children Safe While Gardening, CLICK HERE

For the article Keeping Children Safe on Walks and Field Trips, CLICK HERE

Playing outdoors strengthens gross motor skills and helps children develop an appreciation for nature. Here are some recommendations for keeping children safe from the heat and sun:

• Sunscreen – Follow all state regulations for the storage, permission, and application of sunscreen. Experts recommend the use of sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Apply sunscreen to all areas of exposed skin, avoiding the eyes and mouth.  Rub sunscreen in completely.  Follow the instructions for proper application and reapplication, which typically recommend sunscreen be applied 30 minutes prior to sun exposure.
• Clothing and hats – Encourage families to provide hats or other pieces of clothing that can protect children’s skin from the sun. Hats should have wide brims that protect the face as well as the back of the neck. Children can also wear sunglasses that protect their eyes from UV rays.
• Avoiding midday sun – Limit sun exposure between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM, whenever possible.
• Follow local advisories for extreme heat and adjust your outdoor plans accordingly. Plan ahead for an indoor location for gross motor activities on days when outdoor play is not possible.
• Adapt outdoor activities – Shorten outdoor play periods or activities children explore during outdoor time. Provide activities that are low to medium intensity, such as reading books or setting up a puppet theater under a tree.
• Well-planned transitions – Build time into transitions for the outdoors for children to rehydrate, wash their hands, apply a cool paper towel to their forehead, and generally cool down from being outdoors.
• Shade – Whenever possible, provide shade. If permitted, place shade structures/tents in different spots on your playground. For example, set up an art table under one tent and place another tent over the sand/water area.  Encourage children to play in the shade often.
• Water – Provide water to drink and encourage children to take frequent water breaks. Avoid sugary drinks.
• Play surfaces – Check the temperature of play surfaces before children use the equipment.

Know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses – A heat-related illness can occur when a person’s body is unable to cool itself.  Here is a list of heat-related illnesses and the signs you should watch for in children and co-workers.

For the main article Summer Safety, CLICK HERE

For the article Keeping Children Safe near Water, CLICK HERE

For the article Keeping Children Safe While Gardening, CLICK HERE

For the article Keeping Children Safe on Walks and Field Trips, CLICK HERE

Outdoor play is essential to healthy development for young children.  Licensing and quality improvement standards are being established all over the country to ensure that children have access to adequate amounts of time and appropriate spaces for outdoor exploration.

Research from a variety of sources shows that outdoor play can produce these benefits:

• Better physical health
• Strengthened gross motor skills
• Reduced obesity
• Improved attention
• Stronger immune system
• Reduced stress
• Enhanced self-regulation
• Stronger connections to nature

With summer approaching, it is important to remind ourselves of the importance of not only providing enhanced outdoor play experiences but doing so safely. Maintaining safety depends greatly on careful and attentive supervision, which is part of your daily practice. However, it is important to reflect on the environment and our planned activities to ensure we are prepared for circumstances that accompany summer play.

In this issue of the CCEI newsletter, we will explore ways to keep children safe, while promoting the healthy benefits of outdoor play.

For the article Keeping Children Safe from the Heat and Sun, CLICK HERE

For the article Keeping Children Safe near Water, CLICK HERE

For the article Keeping Children Safe While Gardening, CLICK HERE

For the article Keeping Children Safe on Walks and Field Trips, CLICK HERE