Field Trips: Ways to Say Thank You!

What have you done in the past, or what ideas do you have for the future, as special ways to thank field trip hosts or guest visitors?

Field Trips: Allowing Children to EXPLORE a New Place

In the article, Field Trips Promote Child Learning At Its Best, Cartwright describes a trip where the adults brought the children to a place where they could explore freely (the beach). During this trip, the adults sat back and observed without interrupting the children's investigations. Stacey describes a similar experience at a hair salon in the article Coaching Community Hosts: The Other Side of the Field Trip where the children were given a tour, but were also allowed the opportunity to explore.

Please describe one place in your local community where you might be able to allow a group, or an individual child to explore freely. This might be a place that you visit regularly but have never taken the time to allow children to explore their own interests. Describe the place, how it might be interesting to the child(ren), and what you think might be there for them to explore. How can this benefit the children and how might their learning be different than if they were simply given a tour by adults?

Who Doesn't Like Pizza?

"Pizza is a canvas for an open mind. It is kid-friendly, fun to make, and enjoyed by all." --Buffy Owens

Think of another activity, either in the kitchen or elsewhere, that children would enjoy doing with adult participation. Make a comment in which you describe what the activity would be, what work would need to be done beforehand, and what materials might be needed.

Extending Children's Play

Think of an area of play that is popular with the children' in your care. In what ways could you extend that play to help them explore in more depth?