A Safe Preschooler – How to Take Care of Your Child During Springtime Outdoor Play?

With the arrival of spring, preschool children spend more and more time outdoors. The nice weather encourages going outside, developing physical skills, discovering the richness of nature, and socializing with peers. To ensure that springtime play occurs in peace and joy, it is the role of parents or caregivers to ensure the safety of the children and to educate them in this area. In this article, we discuss the most important aspects of a responsible approach to caring for young children outdoors. How can you take care of your child and prepare them for potential dangers? What protection should you provide for preschoolers during springtime play, and what behaviors should you teach them while outside? We invite you to read on!

Different Aspects of Ensuring Safety Outdoors

By carefully observing the surroundings, we will surely notice how differently some parents or caregivers behave when spending time outdoors with children. Some get very stressed with every outing, and during play, they monitor every move of the preschooler, fearing accidents. Others, while their children are having fun, spend time with their noses in their phones, not paying much attention to what’s happening with the little ones. We believe that neither extreme is good, and it’s important to realize how to educate the youngest about responsibility, so as not to interfere with their play but still be supportive in case of dangers. At our facilities, we take comprehensive action to promote children’s health and safety in all conditions. You, as a parent, can also shape your relationship with your child in a way that facilitates cooperation.

What safety aspects do we focus on in this article? These include:

• preparing to leave the house,
• choosing a place to play,
• avoiding dangerous plants and animals,
• contact with strangers,
• preventing accidents on playgrounds,
• how to act if lost.

Preparing for Spring Outdoor Play

Ensuring preschoolers’ safety outdoors involves not only what happens once they are outside but also preparing for the outing. This means that in order for the child to comfortably enjoy bike rides, visits to the forest, or playground fun, they must have appropriate clothing, protective products, and also be equipped with water. It is also important to remind your little one of the rules before every outing, so they become more ingrained in their mind and can be recalled in any situation.

The basic rule is, of course, dressing the child according to the season and the temperature outside. Sometimes this is tricky when we observe big weather fluctuations. However, it’s better to bring an extra layer of clothing and remove it if needed rather than not have enough. Dressing “in layers” works well, especially for longer trips than just going to a playground. Don’t forget about sun protection, including sunscreen and hats. Water is also necessary, as both children and adults should replenish fluids during spring play, especially if the activities are intense.

For bike or scooter outings, the child should always wear at least a helmet to protect them in case of a fall. Knee and elbow pads may also come in handy. Before going out, always check if the equipment has working brakes, properly inflated tires, and is in good condition. Regardless of the planned activities, it’s also a good idea to have wet wipes or insect repellent with you. If you plan to stay outdoors for a longer time, bringing a healthy snack is a great idea to ensure your child’s well-being. During active play, a preschooler’s energy can quickly run out, and they will need energy for the return home.

What to Consider When Choosing a Place to Play?

Not every space is suitable for carefree play. It is important to check the surroundings before starting an activity and make sure there are no elements that could pose a danger to the child. It’s worth examining the area for evenness of the surface, possible damage (e.g., on a playground), the presence of dangerous objects or plants, and the proximity to water bodies, busy streets, and similar hazards.

Knowing that your child will not encounter dangerous uneven terrain or pieces of glass in the grass, you can safely watch them play or improve their bike riding skills. Of course, not everything can be predicted, but it is worth making an effort to ensure that the outdoor experience is as safe as possible. For example, if you’re heading to a playground or sports field, it’s a good idea to choose places with fencing. This way, you have more certainty that the little one won’t run into the street while excited about playing soccer. If you plan to stay near a lake or pond, you must always keep an eye on your child. It’s also important that they don’t play right at the water’s edge, especially where it’s slippery. More guidelines for behavior near water or in the mountains can be found here.

Avoiding Unknown Plants or Animals and Protection from Insects

Children have a natural curiosity that drives them to explore their surroundings. However, for them to do so safely, it’s important to teach them about plant species they should avoid. Not all flowers and fruits are safe, and some, like belladonna, yew, or giant hogweed, can cause poisoning or skin reactions. It’s best to remind preschoolers not to touch any plants they don’t recognize.

When it comes to animals, educating them about the fact that before petting a dog, they should ask the owner for permission is key. Not every animal likes contact with young children and may react aggressively. Also, during forest outings, they may encounter wild animals like foxes or hedgehogs. It’s better not to touch them, as they may carry diseases. Sometimes, during a walk, a child may spot a wasp, bee, or bumblebee. To reduce the risk of stings, it’s good to dress the child in breathable, long clothing, use repellent (if possible, based on natural ingredients), and avoid leaving sweet snacks outdoors. After returning home, it’s also a good idea to check the child’s skin for ticks. Teaching caution when interacting with nature will allow children to enjoy their play without unpleasant surprises.

Being Cautious with Strangers

While playing in the park or at the playground, the child may meet strangers. It’s important to teach them basic safety rules from an early age. Of course, we don’t want to scare the preschooler, but rather raise their awareness that they should only talk to strangers in the presence of a parent or another caregiver. They should also know not to accept any food, drinks, or gifts from strangers. Never should they leave with someone they don’t know, even if that person claims to have been sent by the parents.

It’s worth repeating these rules to the child while addressing their questions and concerns. For added assurance, you can establish a safety password with your child. This will be a word that a person truly sent by you must know and say to ensure the child will agree to go with them. Otherwise, teach your child to loudly call for help whenever they feel threatened and to try to return to you or another trusted adult as quickly as possible. Explain that in dangerous situations, normal rules don’t apply. This means the child doesn’t have to be polite and answer questions from strangers, and in case of danger, they can defend themselves in any way possible.

Safe Biking and Springtime Playground Play

How to prevent accidents on playgrounds or while riding a scooter or rollerblading? If you’re planning a bike trip, it’s important to check the technical condition of the bike before each ride. Make sure the brakes work properly, the tires are well inflated, and the chain is properly tensioned. As we mentioned earlier, the child should always wear a protective helmet, and when using a scooter or rollerblades, knee and elbow pads will also come in handy. The route for the ride should be suitable for the child’s age and abilities. It’s best to choose a route away from busy roads. The youngest preschoolers should use the bike under the supervision of an adult, while older children can ride on a fenced-in area of a neighborhood, provided they know the safety rules.

On the playground, it’s important to be cautious when using climbing frames, swings, or slides. Teach the youngest children how to use them safely. We also recommend checking the condition of playground equipment. Is it in good condition and free from damage that could pose a risk? For springtime play to be safe, the child must also learn patience and avoid pushing others while waiting their turn. Particularly for young children, it’s a good idea to choose places with soft and smooth surfaces. You can find playgrounds with sand or rubber mats that absorb falls. Paying attention to safety allows everyone to fully enjoy time spent outdoors.

Emergency Procedures

During springtime outdoor play, unexpected situations may arise. It’s important to teach your child how to react in such cases. They should know that in case of danger, they must immediately inform an adult: a parent, teacher, or another trusted person. It’s also essential that they know how to behave if they get lost in an unfamiliar area. It’s good to reinforce the knowledge that they should stay in one place and wait for the parents, rather than anxiously searching for caregivers on their own. If another trustworthy adult is nearby, such as someone with a child or a police officer, it’s helpful to tell them what happened so they can assist.

Every parent should also know the basics of first aid to provide it to their child in case of a sprain or broken limb before taking the child to the doctor. Preschoolers should also be educated about emergency phone numbers and how to call for help in urgent situations. The basic number is 112. It will also be very helpful for the child to know how to introduce themselves and explain what happened and where they are. Knowing that your child can do this will surely relieve much of your stress. It’s worth educating preschoolers about safety from an early age. This is often done through play. Repeatedly going over the same information ensures that the child will be able to recall it even in stressful situations.

Remember!

Springtime outdoor play can bring a lot of joy to preschoolers and parents. While spending time outside, it’s important to remember the basic safety rules. You should take care of your children’s appropriate clothing, protection from the sun, insects, animals, and unknown plants. It’s also important to check the condition of the bike or scooter and the equipment on playgrounds.

As the preschooler grows older, they will need more independence. It’s a good idea to educate your child as soon as possible about caution with strangers and how to behave in emergencies. This approach will make both you and your child feel confident when they spend much of the day playing outdoors, without you being right next to them. Safety rules exist to allow for peaceful and joyful play, with the assurance that if necessary, your child will be able to handle the situation.