Signs of Winter

Living in Maine gives ample opportunities for our little ones to practice suiting up for the snow.  In the classroom setting, as any teacher can attest, getting ready to go outside during the winter takes time, patience, and practice!  While my older students are well versed in getting themselves dressed and helping the younger ones, I have seen how the entire process can be quite overwhelming for some children.  To address this issue, I've made some (hopefully) eye catching signs to be posted by the cubbies where the children get ready to play outside:

Before hanging these mini-posters on the wall, I talked to the children about them at circle time.  We discussed the importance of the sequence of how to get dressed for outside and how it impossible to put one's snow pants on after they have already booted up!  The children also appreciated how it is much easier to zip up a coat without wearing mittens or gloves.  These concepts, seemingly simple to an adult, are easily overlooked by the young child.  This can lead to frustration and upset while attempting to do something they otherwise could accomplish independently.  So, this is how I decided the little signs can come in handy.  As the children are getting themselves ready, they now have a visual reference which they can check themselves! 

The signs hang at the children's eye level near their hooks for snow pants. 
If interested, you can read more about the hook labels here.

Happy Snow Days!

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