Take the children on a picnic for lunch. Grab some sandwich squares, sippy cups, and a blanket. Let the children help you set up the picnic outside on a grassy area. Eat alongside them and talk about what you see – birds and airplanes flying, flowers sprouting, and the ants marching in line.
This will give the children an opportunity to test their independence as they continue to build their relationships with their peers and you. They will improve their early literacy skills as they listen to new sounds and words. They will be discovering and learning in a new environment as they work on controlling their bodies.
Begin a daily routine for the children to follow. Write down the schedule and post it on the classroom wall. Regularly refer to the schedule and talk about what has already happened, what is happening now and what will happen next.
All children benefit from a schedule. Knowing what is going to happen next will help calm them. They will learn new words through your spoken language and will begin to recognize print by seeing the words written and posted on the wall.
As you are getting the children ready for a stroller ride, encourage them to get ready. Ask them to point out their jackets, encourage them to crawl to their cubbies, and to help you put their coats on by extending their arms. As this is happening, talk to them about what you are doing. Include personal information, such as, “Ricky is wearing a green coat today.”
Getting ready to go outside can become a teaching experience when you get the children involved. As they become more independent and self-aware, they are working on their coordination and language skills.