Winter Outdoor Safety Resources
Winter is a season when many schools reach out for guidance to Maine Early Childhood Outdoors (MaineECO) on getting children outdoors safely and confidently in cold temperatures. If your school does not practice a full-time Outdoor Nature Based curriculum chances are that recess and outdoor time decreases significantly in the winter months but it doesn’t have to.
Appropriate gear, analyzing weather, and building consensus with your team of educators on winter play protocols can make going outside on cold days something to look forward to, instead of something to avoid. Below are MaineECO’s top resources in identifying and implementing weather protocols for outdoor play in the winter.
Before diving into the resources we ask that you take 1–2 minutes to complete this brief survey to help us better understand how children are accessing recess in colder weather.
Resources:
Natural Start Outdoor Licensing Recommendations:
While the state of Maine has not adopted outdoor rules or regulations for childcare or public school, this is a nation wide resource being accessed by many schools and state agencies.. Look specifically to the weather section that starts on page 29, cold weather guidance is on page 33.
National Weather Service Temp/Windchill Chart:
You can see that we can be out in temps as low as -10 for 30 minutes with proper gear and movement. (this is the chart that is cited in the above recommendations)
Weather Considerations Resource:
This is a chart that MaineECO created to offer guidance on the many considerations when taking children out in inclement weather. It is not just about temperature....we consider humidity, wind, ground moisture, precipitation, gear, movement/activity level, and teacher training. This can help administration and teachers understand what should be considered and how to manage it.
Flourishing in Winter Guide
This handbook from Minnesota Early Childhood Outdoors (MinnECO) offers practical, how-to guidance for extending outdoor play in cold-winter months.
Flourishing in Winter Webinar:
Hear from Emily Johnson, co-author of the “Flourishing in Winter” handbook in this Natural Start Alliance webinar recording that accompanies the guide above.
Emily Johnson, received a Fulbright to Norway, where she conducted research and had a corresponding practicum at a Norwegian nature preschool.
UMaine Research Article:
Conducted in 2019, synopsis of the research; correlation between weather policy and the number of missed recesses (aka - missed opportunities for outdoor healthy activity).
Winter Gear Info Graphic
An easy to read and see resource for parents and teachers to understand how to dress for certain temperatures.
Weather Considerations Resource:
This is a chart that MaineECO created to offer guidance on the many things to consider when taking children out in inclement weather. It is not just about temperature....we consider humidity, wind, ground moisture, precipitation, gear, movement/activity level, teacher training. This can help administration and teachers understand what should be considered and how to manage it.
Sample Policy and Parent Communication:
This is a sample of how one school determines outside recess time and communicates it to parents.
RECESS TEMPERATURE GUIDELINES
We go outside in MOST types of weather!
● If the "feels like" temperature is 0°F or higher it is a full outside recess.
● If the "feels like" temperature is between 0° and -15°F, outdoor time is limited to 15 minutes.
● Recess will be held indoors when the "feels like" temperature is below -15°F or wind, lightning or torrential rain make it dangerous.
While the variables change, winter is still an excellent time for students to play and learn outdoors. Outdoor winter play can build immune response, promote physical activity and increase vitamin D levels. . It provides a sensory experience where children can utilize touch, smell, and feel to enhance cognitive development, and winter play encourages resilience and creativity. It is MaineECO’s hope that these resources help you build a positive mindset and standard policies that encourage outdoor play during winter.
For questions, deeper discussion, or support reach out to Anne Adams, Network Coordinator, Maine Early Childhood Outdoors.