Guidelines for Out-of-Home Child Care Programs written by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association and the Department of Health and Human Services.  

Of course, children should only play outside when the weather and air quality conditions aren’t hazardous to their health.  As stated by the National Weather Service: “Weather that poses a significant health risk shall include wind chill at or below 15° degrees F and heat index at or above 90° F.” Local ozone alert announcements are made when conditions pose a significant health hazard.  Don’t forget sun protection.  Even in cold weather the rays of the sun could still cause sunburn, especially when they reflect off snow.

When children play outside they love to run, jump and climb.  Their movement keeps them warmer than we think.  In colder weather it might be a better idea to go outside to play and move around rather than going for a walk.  How about throwing leaves or snow into the air, watching the result and then pretending to blow in the wind? The natural environment changes as it gets colder.  Infants and toddlers need to experience nature to begin to understand where things come from:  warmth from the sun and rain and snow from the clouds. Younger children learn about different clothes for different weather (wearing coats, gloves, hats and scarves will keep them warmer in the cold).   They learn not just what to wear, but how to put them on and take them off.  Yes, granted you might not stay outside in cold weather as long as you would when it’s warm. But look at the experiences our children would be missing when we could be getting some fresh air instead of being cooped up in the house too long because we decide it’s too cold:

• playing tag and running to catch another person
• collecting stones, leaves and bugs;
• watching snowflakes fall to the ground or trying to catch them on their tongues;
• being pulled on a sled during a snowfall;
• learning to make a snowball, snowman or snow angels;
• playing on riding toys and feeling the wind on their face; and
• experiencing nature’s life cycle.

Of course always check with your doctor to see when she thinks it appropriate for your child to go outside after having a cold or some other illness.  Younger infants shouldn’t go outside as much as older infants and toddlers, so check with your pediatrician to discuss when it’s appropriate.

Dawn Daniello is the infant toddler specialist for the Child Care Council of Nassau, Inc.