All Weather Play

As winter moves toward spring here in the Northern Hemisphere, many people look forward to warming temperatures. More sunshine, longer days, and more opportunities to be outside. The possibilities for outside activities in the Winter are plentiful. Many people hibernate in Winter and long for the change in seasons. The same is true for many child-development programs. 

In your program, do the children go outside in all types of weather? 

My experience working with children has been in California and Oregon. The West Coast has mild Winters compared to most of the United States. As an educator in California and Oregon, the expectations for taking children outside in challenging weather were different.

In California, I worked in the southern part of the state. It is a desert, with plentiful sunshine and a little rain in the late winter or early spring. The rest of the year is sunny. The weather is great for being outside all year round. In my work in California, we would never go outside when it rained. The children wanted to go outside and experience a different type of environment. Most parents wanted us to remain inside and stay dry. On occasion, we would encourage parents to bring in extra clothes or rain gear. Then the children could experience the fun of playing outside on a rainy day. This idea never gained acceptance. We would only stay inside on sunny days during extreme heat over 100 degrees.

In Oregon, the opportunities to play outside are different. Elementary-age children usually go outside in all weather. We play in the rain mixed with a bit of sun between October and June. Children come prepared with rain jackets and enjoy being outside. Some school-age programs in Oregon use the gym facilities in the school for indoor play during rain. The children have been indoors at school all day. Being outside after a long school day is essential. In Oregon afterschool programs, children stay inside if the temperature falls below 32 degrees or is higher than 90 degrees. 

My pre-school experience in Oregon is entirely different. In the pre-school programs where I have worked, children go outside for long periods, in any weather. Children keep a set of rain pants, waterproof jackets, rubber boots, and gloves ready to use each day. The children have wonderful adventures exploring small yard rivers, ponds, falling rain, mud, and occasional snow. Each day the children enjoy the outdoors with big smiles and great energy. The parents see the benefits for their children. Parents collaborate with the school to ensure gear is up to date and in good repair. A parent in the Midwest, Linda McGurk, wrote an article that explains the benefits she observed of her children being outside in all weather. I find the same benefits for the children I work with each day.

My experience is unique. It is up to each educator to weigh the benefits versus the drawbacks of having children go outside in different types of weather. I am an educator that prefers being outside in all safe conditions. Here in Oregon, we enjoy the liquid sunshine. I wish you great success in making your decision. Best of luck as you invite parents to assist with clothing and support for your outdoor program. 

What is your opinion? Is being outside beneficial for children in all types of weather?

As an educator, do you enjoy being outside in all types of weather?