Playing Outside In Cold Weather

[Hunni Bee]

My goal is get my kids outside at least 3 days a week. I realize they need outside time daily to grow, and it helps their behavior when they get that gross motor time...

BUT...if 50% of us have green slime coming from our noses, we're not going. If its under 35 degrees (35 degrees in VA feels a lot colder than 35 degrees in Michigan), we're not going. If several of us didn't have coats on when we came to school, we're not going. One of my four-year-olds is currently in the hospital with pneumonia because his mom thought a sweatshirt was sufficient outerwear for 18 degree weather. We found and put a coat on him, but the damage was done.

In the spring, summer and fall, we're out there twice a day faithfully.

[Blackcat31]

My goal is get my kids outside at least 3 days a week. I realize they need outside time daily to grow, and it helps their behavior when they get that gross motor time...

BUT...if 50% of us have green slime coming from our noses, we're not going. If its under 35 degrees (35 degrees in VA feels a lot colder than 35 degrees in Michigan), we're not going. If several of us didn't have coats on when we came to school, we're not going. One of my four-year-olds is currently in the hospital with pneumonia because his mom thought a sweatshirt was sufficient outerwear for 18 degree weather. We found and put a coat on him, but the damage was done.

In the spring, summer and fall, we're out there twice a day faithfully.

When kids have green snot is EXACTLY when they should be getting some fresh air. Fresh air is as good for an illness as rest and good sleep.

As far as the child in the hospital, he didn't catch pneumonia from being outdoors or from being dressed improperly, he caught it from a virus or from an infection, neither of which come from being outdoors or being cold.

Getting sick BECAUSE of cold weather is a myth. Illnesses are caused by viruses, infections and germs.

http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/common/cold.html

[Meyou]

When kids have green snot is EXACTLY when they should be getting some fresh air. Fresh air is as good for an illness as rest and good sleep.

As far as the child in the hospital, he didn't catch pneumonia from being outdoors or from being dressed improperly, he caught it from a virus or from an infection, neither of which come from being outdoors or being cold.

Getting sick BECAUSE of cold weather is a myth. Illnesses are caused by viruses, infections and germs.
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infecti...mmon/cold.html

lovethislovethislovethis

[Ariana]

Wow 32F is only 0C here in Canada! Thats a nice day here We'd NEVER go outside if that was the rule. My rule is we don't go out if it's colder than -17C so 1F. A little frost and cold air never hurt anyone. I remember as a kid playing outside for hours when it was -20C or colder.

This thread makes me a little sad because a sign of good quality childcare is getting outside at least once a day weather permitting. I try to get out 2X a day.

[Hunni Bee]

When kids have green snot is EXACTLY when they should be getting some fresh air. Fresh air is as good for an illness as rest and good sleep.

As far as the child in the hospital, he didn't catch pneumonia from being outdoors or from being dressed improperly, he caught it from a virus or from an infection, neither of which come from being outdoors or being cold.

Getting sick BECAUSE of cold weather is a myth. Illnesses are caused by viruses, infections and germs.
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infecti...mmon/cold.html

I honestly didn't know this. Thanks for enlightening me! I guess I'd been going by what I heard all my life growing up...it was 70 degrees here today (!) and someone said "this is pneumonia weather!". I'd always thought you caught or made worse stuff like that by being in the cold or not dressing properly.

[Blackcat31]

I honestly didn't know this. Thanks for enlightening me! I guess I'd been going by what I heard all my life growing up...it was 70 degrees here today (!) and someone said "this is pneumonia weather!". I'd always thought you caught or made worse stuff like that by being in the cold or not dressing properly.

I was told the same thing all my life too. I just learned it wasn't true when I started doing child care.

I wish it was 70 here... we are expecting -12F before sunrise so we won't be going outside tomorrow, that's for sure.

[JennyBear]

fresh air

I'm in Ontario, Canada. It can get pretty cold here. I just bundle up the children accordingly and off we go. I may have to reduce the amount of time were out there but for the most part the kids have a blast (especially the older ones). The fresh air really does make a difference and getting outside is so good for them.
This morning we went sledding with another local home daycare and we all had a blast. My group are currently sawing logs!!
I see nothing wrong with going outside, just use common sense and dress appropriately.

[Meyou]

43 (6 C) here today and we spent a total of 3.25 hours outside. It was lovely. For Nova Scotia.

[Blackcat31]

43 (6 C) here today and we spent a total of 3.25 hours outside. It was lovely. For Nova Scotia.

-6F here. We walked to the mailbox again but that was it. I actually had to get my winter coat out yesterday. Wind chills have been in the -20F 'ies. I think the actual low temp for tonight is suppose to be -22F. Hope the sun at least shines! LOL!!

[Sunchimes]

I can remember when I was a kid, they made us go out if it was above freezing. I don't remember it being fun. What I do remember is that we all huddled against the side of the building until the teachers made us move. Then we sort of did the group sidle a few feet. If you were lucky, you managed to stay in the middle of the huddle where it was a little warmer. ;-) I see my little ones doing that now.

We don't have the proper clothes. We don't have boots or tennis shoes or even heavy socks. None of my kids have proper heavy coats--they need them so seldom that it isn't unusual for them to outgrow the coat before they've worn it. Most of the time, we wear hoodies.

We go out most days, but not when it's that cold.

>"When kids have green snot is EXACTLY when they should be getting some fresh air" The only thing more fun than green snot is frozen green snot.

[Blackcat31]

We go out most days, but not when it's that cold.

>"When kids have green snot is EXACTLY when they should be getting some fresh air" The only thing more fun than green snot is frozen green snot.

Oh, we don't get frozen green snot here.......your nostrils freeze shut so it can't get out! ::

[Countrygal]

I think in WI the recommended temp is 20 degrees or warmer, but then, we're used to it..... that's pretty warm in the winter up here. Thankfully this winter has been SUPER, but most winters hardly get above 20 from Dec through Feb. :P

I would think it would be hard to make kids go out when it's that cold in a warmer climate. I wouldn't think all of them would be well enough dressed!

[Gavin's mommy]

Being a daycare teacher for 5 years and living in a southern state 32degrees to us is freezing! I Cantrell u right now that it is the middle of January and my son was outside in a tshirt in 76degree weather! Our children are not use to cold weather like that! On days when we felt it was too cold to go outside we did activities inside to get the kids moving arround a lot! Our children do not mind playing in 100 degree weather simply because they are used to it but anything below 50degrees in the south is cold to us and that's when are children start getting sick do to the fact that our body's are not used to that cold of weather! We probably only experience that cold of weather 2 months out of the year!!! I simply say if u feel it is too cold to take the children outside than play some games inside that will get there lil body's moving and exercising!

[Bookworm]

I completely agree with Gavin's Mommy. I'm in the south too and to us, 50 degrees is freezing. My state has a 42 degree "guideline", but because I personally hate the cold, I won't do less than 50 degrees and even then no longer than 30-45 min. Once again, Southern kids aren't used to the cold

[Blackcat31]

Being a daycare teacher for 5 years and living in a southern state 32degrees to us is freezing! I Cantrell u right now that it is the middle of January and my son was outside in a tshirt in 76degree weather! Our children are not use to cold weather like that! On days when we felt it was too cold to go outside we did activities inside to get the kids moving arround a lot! Our children do not mind playing in 100 degree weather simply because they are used to it but anything below 50degrees in the south is cold to us and that's when are children start getting sick do to the fact that our body's are not used to that cold of weather! We probably only experience that cold of weather 2 months out of the year!!! I simply say if u feel it is too cold to take the children outside than play some games inside that will get there lil body's moving and exercising!

I completely agree with Gavin's Mommy. I'm in the south too and to us, 50 degrees is freezing. My state has a 42 degree "guideline", but because I personally hate the cold, I won't do less than 50 degrees and even then no longer than 30-45 min. Once again, Southern kids aren't used to the cold

You ladies are absolutely right! The number on the thermometer really has nothing to do with how cold or hot it is, it has more to do with what you have been accustomed to enjoy.

We grow them tough up north, my kiddos played outside this afternoon in freshly fallen snow from 11:45 until 3:45. They slid down the hill, made snow angels, dug a tunnel, sprayed the snow a rainbow of colors and shoveled paths around the yard.

Then they came in and had hot (well, warm) cocoa with marshmallows and cinnamon toast while their hats and mittens dried on floor vents and made the whole house smell like wet dogs....LOL!! ::