Home > Blog > 3 Child Safety Guidelines for Outdoor Activities
oung children rejoice from spending time outdoors any given day. Playtime also provides important physical, mental and social development opportunities for young children. Summertime lets kids be outside where they can absorb new skills, discover new activities and learn about safety rules. Safety may not sound fun, but it is necessary for all early childhood educators to teach because they are responsible for the well-being of all children under their care.
Teaching young children about safety requires reinforcement and repetition of clear and consistent rules – especially in an early education environment. Early childhood educators must account for children of different ages, abilities, and outdoor distractions. To help make a walk, field trip, or even a water activity in your backyard safer for little ones, follow these three guidelines.
Pedestrian Safety1
The Basics (e.g. going for a neighborhood walk or just playing in the front or backyard)
• Hold on to a child’s hand when crossing the street.
• Walk on sidewalks. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left, facing traffic, while holding the child’s hand. The adult should walk on the side closest to the road.
• When crossing a street, look for the pedestrian crosswalk. Look both ways (left, right, and left – in the U.S.) again before crossing the street.
With a Group (e.g. fieldtrip or walking with a group
• Make sure that each child wears a tag with the name of your setting and phone number on it.
• Carry a list of the names of all the children you are supervising and their emergency contact information.
• Maintain required adult-child ratios for optimum supervision.
• Bring a cell phone and a first-aid kit. Note: you may need other items depending on your activities.
• Practice traffic safety rules with children ahead of time. Tip: Games such as “red light, green light” help young children become aware of traffic lights and safety measures.
Learning opportunity!
Pedestrian safety gives children the basic guidelines they will use throughout the rest of their lives, even when they aren’t at a child care program. Share your guidelines with their families. That will help parents reinforce these rules so kids become more mindful of others, better aware of their surroundings, and look out for one another when in a group.
Riding Toys Safety1
• Children’s feet should reach the ground for riding toys without pedals. A tricycle is the right size for a child if he or she can reach the foot pedals.
• Children should use only riding toys in good repair with seats, handlebars, and wheels firmly attached.
• Children should only ride on flat, hard surfaces, such as designated tracks or blacktops; and, they need to be taught to recognize and obey traffic safety signs.
• Children must wear helmets and have them securely on before riding.
• Bumping other drivers or bike riders should not be permitted.
Learning opportunity!
Riding toys allow children to use their gross motor skills and muscle control when stopping and starting, turning, backing up, and going fast or slow. It even helps them to differentiate a dangerous situation (falling if going too fast) from a safe one (going a moderate speed and being able to stop), and also teaches them to take turns and share the riding toys with other children.
Water Safety1
• Do not leave children unattended around any water activities e.g. water table, tub, or wading pool.
• Stay dry by wearing smocks when playing with water.
• Prepare water activity near a water source and on washable flooring (if playing in non-grass area).
• Play with only a few props at a time in a water table, tub, or wading pool.
• Avoid splashing. • Wipe or mop any floors spills immediately (if playing in non-grass area).
• Put away any water toys and props when finished using them.
Learning opportunity!1
Water and sand tables are great for children to express their feelings and calm themselves. You can use this activity to teach simple math and geometry skills such as patterning, volume, and shape as they make sand constructions and pour water.
Source 1 Washington, V. (2017). Essentials for Working with Young Children (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: The Council for Professional Recognition. NEED Page references to help the reader understand where the information came from.
A couple of years before becoming a mother, I saw the classic movie Terms of Endearment. Before the opening credits, the film portrayed Aurora, played by Shirley MacLaine, as a worried mom who checked on...
“Every child deserves a champion,” said longtime teacher Rita Pierson in a famous TED talk. She was talking about “an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and...
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, I wanted to share how it is important for us all to reflect on women’s progress in the business world and the importance of supporting and empowering...
My mom called me up some years ago to praise a movie about a pig. As she began to mimic the pig’s squeaky little voice, I started to wonder what this meant and worried my...
It takes a village to raise a child, the old proverb tells us. But we need to expand our perspective, according to pediatric surgeon, social scientist and mom Dana Suskind. In her heartfelt work, Parent...
Dr. Calvin Moore shared that when he first arrived at the Council and took on the CEO role, he was focused on assessing the early childhood education (ECE) landscape, the reach of the organization and...
We have probably all seen the commercials this time of year when you can hear the popular holiday song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, playing in the background as parents dance joyously...
Did you know early childhood educators in Maryland have a special benefit that can help them and the children they serve? The Maryland State Department of Education has awarded a $1 million grant to the...
For the first time in three years, the Education Writers Association (EWA) gathered in person for their National Seminar in Orlando last month. The event drew journalists from across the country to hear from leaders...
Andrew Davis serves as Chief Operating Officer at the Council. In this role, Andrew oversees the Programs Division, which includes the following operational functions: credentialing, growth and business development, marketing and communications, public policy and advocacy, research, innovation, and customer relations.
Andrew has over 20 years of experience in the early care and education field. Most recently, Andrew served as Senior Vice President of Partnership and Engagement with Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning, where he led the expansion of state and community-based partnerships to produce more equitable systems of service delivery, improved programmatic quality, and greater outcomes for communities, children and families. Prior to that, he served as Director of Early Learning at Follett School Solutions.
Andrew earned his MBA from the University of Baltimore and Towson University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland – University College.
Janice Bigelow
Chief Financial Officer
Jan Bigelow serves as Chief Financial Officer at the Council and has been with the organization since February of 2022.
Jan has more than 30 years in accounting and finance experience, including public accounting, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. She has held management-level positions with BDO Seidman, Kiplinger Washington Editors, Pew Center for Global Climate Change, Communities In Schools, B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and American Humane. Since 2003, Jan has worked exclusively in the non-profit sector where she has been a passionate advocate in improving business operations in order to further the mission of her employers.
Jan holds a CPA from the State of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lycoming College. She resides in Alexandria VA with her husband and dog.
CounciLINK is Your Connection
Read our monthly e-newsletter and keep up to date on all Council programs and services, as well as the latest news in the world of early care and education. Subscribe today to stay connected with us. You’ll receive timely information on events, webinars, special promotions, and more.