As we approach summer, the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, reminding early learning professionals to refresh their classrooms and curriculum to make them summer-ready. It is also an opportunity to think about trying outings and activities that work well during the summer, when schedules are more flexible, and enrollment might not be as high.
Thoughtful planning and preparation for the upcoming summer months can help keep early learning programs engaging, safe, and fun for young children. In this article, we share practical tips and considerations to make your ECE program ready for the new season.
Take a look at your indoor learning space, outdoor space, and materials, with an eye toward a summer refresh.
The transition to summer might inspire you to clean out materials, revamp some learning spaces, and add new materials. For example, it could be helpful to rearrange your classroom so there is more room for movement activities or large, collaborative art projects. As you choose summer activities to enjoy with the children in your care, consider decorating your classroom with pictures that preview your planned summer learning themes. You’ll also want to clear some shelf space to make room for the materials you’ll be using and want to have handy.
Take a look at your book corner, so you can select books to display that have summer themes, such as stories about the beach and sunshine. You might also enjoy sharing books that explore the different seasons, highlighting the transition from spring to summer, and the plants, animals, and insects that are active during the summer months.
Refresh your materials. Think about adding some summery play materials to use outdoors, such as blowing bubbles, chalk for outdoor art, and a beach ball for games of catch. These can be found at affordable prices at stores like Dollar Tree, Walmart, and Amazon.
Get set up for water play. The warm summer months can also be a great time to incorporate water play into your program. You might bring some paintbrushes outside so that children can paint on the concrete with water, or get some large plastic tubs to create budget-friendly water sensory bins. If you have a sandbox, water can become a useful ingredient for building sand castles!
New seasons always bring fresh inspiration to early care & learning providers, and there are lots of summer-themed activities that encourage hands-on exploration, creativity, and movement.
Pre-plan some summer-themed learning activities. When getting ready for the summer, it is helpful to have a few activities planned and prepared so that you can pull them out whenever you need to fill some time in your classroom. To help you get started, you might enjoy these G2K articles from the archives:
Stock up on ingredients for easy summer recipes. The summer months are a great time to try out some refreshing recipes with the little ones in your care. Simple, child-friendly recipes that can be made with a group, such as fresh squeezed lemonade, popsicles, and icees, offer learning opportunities for young children, as well as a treat that will help them stay cool in the warm weather!
Schedule summer outings. Enrollment numbers are often lower in the summer, which makes it a good time to plan an outing or field trip. You might walk with the children to a local park, pack and enjoy a picnic lunch together, arrange to get a tour of the local fire station, or visit a community garden, children’s museum, or farm. Invite parents to join you on the trip as well!
You’ll want to make sure you know the state requirements for field trips. Many states require parents to sign consent forms before the field trip, as well as transportation approval forms. Children will also need safe car seats, which you can ask parents to provide for the day of the field trip.
Connect with members of the community. Ask your local library about programs that are designed for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Summer schedules might enable them to send a librarian to do a story time at your program, or connect you with individuals or groups who conduct early childhood events at the library and might be willing to visit your program to do a short program. Look for local businesses, like bakeries, pizza restaurants, or pet stores, that would enjoy giving you and the children a tour and demonstration, and think about people you know in the community who have a talent or hobby they’d like to share with young children.
Invite parents to join in. Many parents and family members will have extra time available during the summer, making it a great time to invite them to be a part of your curriculum.
One way to mark the beginning of your summer season is with a newsletter to parents that contains information about the summertime activities you are planning, along with a list of supplies children will need to equip them for summer weather.
Parents who have lighter summer schedules might be available to participate more directly in your program. Consider inviting parents to come in and read a story to the children, or to demonstrate a hobby, like building furniture or birdhouses. A parent who plays a musical instrument might bring the instrument to your program, show the children how the instrument makes sound, play some music, and perhaps accompany the children as they sing a favorite song. If any family members are bilingual, you can invite them to come in and sing a song in another language with the children, or read a bilingual book to the children during storytime.
With more time spent in the sun, it’s essential to prioritize children’s safety and well-being. A few simple precautions can help ensure that little ones stay healthy, hydrated, and protected while they play and learn.
Add shade. You might start by taking a look at your outdoor space, as children will likely spend more time outdoors in the warm weather. See if you have enough shady spaces for children to cool off. If not, consider tying a large piece of cloth between trees and fence posts or outdoor furniture to create a shaded play area, or adding an outdoor umbrella so little ones can take breaks from being in the sun.
Collect sun kits for the children. Help parents get the little ones ready for summer by inviting them to bring in a “sun kit.” This is a kit with a few important items for children to have in their cubbies to ensure that they are always prepared for the sun. Each child should have a supply of sunblock, a sunhat, and a few changes of clothes to use after water play activities.
Set up a mobile water bottle station. Ensuring that children always have access to water is a key part of summer planning. It is also important to refill water bottles regularly throughout the day and encourage group water breaks during which all children drink water together.
