The Clothes We Wear

I love that the weather has finally been warm enough the last couple weeks that we have been able to spend some great time outside, both at home and with the babes at work.  For a while, I worried that it would stay too windy, too rainy, or just too chilly in general for us to let the munchkins enjoy some time on the playground.  But, we made it!

This got me thinking about the clothes that children wear to daycare/school these days, and how that might impact the children's involvement in outdoor (or even just messy indoor) activities.  Paint, mud, markers, and grass are just a few of the things used daily in our work and play that can stain clothing, not to mention the times that clothing can be snagged or pulled on and get rips.  Or even the every day wear and tear of active children on fabric.  The material doesn't even stand a chance, really.  :)

Now, I know that children as young as the ones I care for don't really think about their clothes when they are presented with an activity.  But as they get older, teacher and parent reactions to getting dirty, messy, and torn can make a child think twice about engaging in a wonderful learning opportunity out of concern for what they are wearing.  So, how do we help them not to have to worry?

Garage sales and thrift stores are great places to stock up on gently used clothing.  You get a great bargain, and since you usually pay a few dollars or less for a piece of clothing, having it get ripped or stained isn't nearly as concerning as if the clothes you paid more for are damaged.

Bargain hunt.  If second hand clothing is not for you, track the fliers for your favorite children's stores, and watch for coupons for dollars or percentages off of clothing.  Usually, you can use coupons on sale items, and increase your savings, and get brand new clothing for only slightly more than you would at a  thrift store.  :)  Also, pay attention to things like Target's Cartwheel app, or apps like RetailMeNot etc., which give you extra discounts and can often be used with paper coupons and sale items.

Designate specific outfits for days when you know there will be messy or outdoor play.  Children will learn quickly that these clothes are ones that they don't have to  be as careful with, and will be able to play without worry.

And in the end, do remember that everything washes.  There are endless sites online with tips and tricks for getting just about anything out of clothing.  (Here and here are just two available!)

So, relax and enjoy the messes and dirt.  Children are getting so much more out of their time exploring and learning, and we will miss these days of watching them learn so much all too soon.

Enjoying the Outdoors

It's been a while since I've written...  There has been so much going on! But, I am here now.  :)

So the snow has been taking a hiatus and we have been getting some nicer (and by that, I mean warmer) weather.  I know that there are lots of people who like the cold and snow, and that there are some great activities to be done with my little family when there is snow on the ground.  But I personally, have a preference for the weather we get in the spring and fall.  Most of the summer is nice here, but sometimes it gets so darn hot and humid, we just don't want to do anything but sit inside and not over heat.

But, spring is here now, and we are finding it much easier to get outside and spend a lot more time enjoying the world around us... Except when it rains, which it is doing now.  But, what do you do?  :)  (Actually, I've always liked the idea of having a rain coat and pair of rain boots on hand to go jump around in the puddles, but my budget so far has not allowed for this.  Sad momma.  But we find lots to do inside when the day is just not what we need for outside play.)

Today, we got outside for probably 45 minutes so the older two could practice with their bikes.  We took little man's training wheels off last weekend, and baby doll wanted her's off too.  So, off they came.  They both are working hard on take offs, heading down the road, and stopping without crashing or tipping over.  So far, there is some progress, and the rest will come with practice.  And all the while, the super baby is loving zooming up and down on his trike, with a smile on his face.  :)

I didn't get any pictures of it, because I am working on not bringing my tablet and/or phone out with me when I am spending time with the kids, but yesterday we played in the backyard on the swing set and with our boccie ball set.  I just found \out how much my kids like boccie... yesterday.  Never would have guessed, but I suppose I shouldn't be surprised.  A game with the objective of throwing a ball?  For sure a kid favorite.

My kids are lucky (and I am lucky) to know their uncle Dave.  Dave is a great hiker, and blogs at Hiker Adventures.  One of my all time favorite blog posts that he has written was about his other nieces and nephew from Florida, and the things he discovered about getting them interested in going on hikes with him.  As a professional teacher of young children, I love that he (an awesome teacher, though not someone who had chosen to make teaching children his life's work) discovered so seemingly easily how to motivate these children to want to hike.  And his tips are so right.  :)  

Uncle Dave

Finding the key to interest and excite a child to a new activity- it doesn't have to be about the hike, but about finding something that interests the child.  Mud, wildlife, bugs, plants, photo opportunities.  Anything to make them realize that they have an opportunity to explore what interests them, and even better, that you want to make it happen for them.  

Stopping before they are bored with the activity can be a tricky balance, but it is good to keep in mind.  If a child gets bored with an activity before they (or you) move away from it, it holds less appeal the next time it is suggested.  They will remember those feelings of boredom, or overdoing, and associate them with not having as much fun.  If you are able to leave the activity while they are still interested and not over tired, that keeps them thinking about it, and wanting to do more.  They associate hiking or biking or boccie with fun times.  :)  Dave also made a great point about ending on a high note.  Ending with the memory of not having fun and enjoying the activity promotes the likelihood of resisting a return to the activity.

Celebrating the activity, and the accomplishments found, is a great wrap-up to any outdoor activity.  Had a great hiking trip?  Go for ice cream.  Mastering biking techniques (without the training wheels)?  It can be as simple as stickers and a high five.  Or, take pictures and/or video of them, and send them later to remind children of the fun times you had together, and all they have learned.  Let them know that you are proud of them and what they are learning to do.  Children (and adults) crave the attention that you notice what they are doing, and the reinforcement that they are doing it right.

All of these tips are great for any activity, but especially for getting children motivated to spend time outdoors.  Teaching children to love the outdoors, and all the movement and learning opportunities presented is a gift that cannot be replaced.  Get up, get moving, and find what motivates your child (and you!) to spend some time in one of the greatest classrooms of all.