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Music, Movement, and Gross Motor Activities | Outings

Outings

Outings in the neighborhood and to local parks and playgrounds occur daily, weather permitting. The destination is not always the emphasis of the outing. The actual journey can offer an abundance of interesting and exciting experiences for young children. Similar to outings children take daily with their parents, we include outings to the bank, market, laundromat, etc., in our curriculum. Outings encourage language development and enhance sensory motor development as the children look, feel, smell, touch, and taste the environment. Outings also provide children with a chance to form perceptions of the world, become acquainted with different types of people and activities, and to begin to piece together an understanding of how the world operates and their relationship to it.

Outings are best if they are unhurried and the children have time to explore at their own speed. Due to their closer proximity to the earth, children often see things from a different angle than adults, see things adults don't see, or completely miss things that attract adult attention. Outings need not have any other goal than to go outside and discover the world. Things to Think About When Preparing for an Outing:
1. One or two children is an ideal number for an outing. Shopkeepers also tend to be more receptive if the group is small, and caregivers will be able to ensure the safety of each child.
2. No more than three children should go out with any one adult. Bring a stroller to assure greater safety.
3. Outings need not be long or far from the Center.
4. Children must hold hands with an adult or onto a stroller at all times.
5. Teachers must leave a written notice in their rooms of where they are going, which children they are taking, and when they will be back.
6. One adult on each outing should take a small first aid kit and $5.00 for a cab in case of an emergency. The first aid kit should contain important phone numbers of the offices at the School for Children and the Center, as well as bandaids, wipes, tissues, and coldpacks.
7. If a problem arises while on an outing, teachers should call the Center for assistance rather than try to come back with acting-out children.
OUTING POLICY IN THE FAMILY CENTER:
The teachers take the children to a number of places throughout the neighborhood:
Riverside park-the playground, Grants Tomb, Dolphin Park, Turtle Park, Lower Riverside Park
Cathedral of Saint John
Columbia and Barnard
Stores along Broadway
Park on 113th St.
Construction Site on 110th St.
We do not take public transportation with the children. In the late spring and summer we sometimes make a special bus trip to the Harlem Mears-110th St. and Central Park. Parents are notified at least a day or two in advance. This trip is only taken with group 3. The following are our safety precautions are taken on all outings:
Teachers go out in pairs. The only exception is to a store on Broadway.
Teachers post on the outing board where they are going and what children they are taking. If their plans change while they are out they call and let the office staff know.
At least a 3 to 1 ratio on outings in rooms 1 and 2.
At least of 4 to 1 ratio on outings in room 3.
Double strollers are used in rooms 1 and 2 to limit the numbers of walkers.
Cell phones, money and first aid kits are taken on outings.
Teachers should always be back to the Center from the PM outing by 4:30 in the fall and winter and 5:00 in the spring and summer.