Guest Author - Diane Claus

Young children need opportunities to explore their world around them. This not only applies to their homes and preschools but also the community in which they live. With careful planning and organization, field trips can be a wonderful enriching experience for the children. Consider the following questions when trying to plan a trip for the children.

Are the students ready to leave the school?

Field trips are probably best taken after the children have been coming to preschool for several weeks. Leaving the familiar surroundings of their home can be quire traumatic for some children. Throwing a trip away from school at them can case major meltdowns. A good first field trip can be a walk around the neighborhood the center is in provided it is safe. Look at trees, flowers, animals, what other people are doing, etc. Be prepared for lots of questions!

Is this trip meaningful?

Will the children learn from this experience? What will they learn? What do you want them to take away from this experience? Say that for instance you are doing a unit on farms. See if there are local farms within a reasonable distance that you can take the children to.

Will the trip be age appropriate?

After the first two questions have been answered, now would be a good time to call the potential field trip destination to see what a tour would include. Some businesses have really cool programs for school-aged children but can’t accommodate preschool children. I have found that some places will modify their tours to help teachers. If you have time, arrange a tour for yourself before taking the children.

How many adults can accompany the children?

Parents usually jump at the opportunity to help with field trips. Just how many adults you need depends on your destination. If it is a play where the children will be sitting most of the time, four or five adults should be enough. But a trip to a zoo, circus, or large facility you should try to have a ratio of one adult to two children. The more adults you recruit, the more hands there are to hold, the more brains to answer questions, and the ability to break down into smaller groups.

How will you get there and do all parents give permission

Transportation will vary. Some cities have yellow school buses you can rent. Many preschools that are in day care centers have vans. Parents may offer their vehicles. Make sure to write down driver’s license numbers and check for insurance coverage. Even though children will be in the parents’ cars, you are still responsible for them.

Parents should give you written permission to take their children out of the facility. Have them write emergency contact information and where they would like their child taken in case of an emergency.

How should you prepare the children for the adventure?

A few days before the trip begin discussions with the children. Try to integrate activities throughout the center to prepare them. Make checklists of what the children want to see, experience, and questions.

With the right amount of planning and organization, field trips will be a very enriching addition to your curriculum.