Frog Song Preschool

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Outside time – by Elizabeth

February 21, 2024 by Claire Lundy

Ahh, the great outdoors! Rain or shine the children spend some time outside each day. On a comfortable pleasant day some of the older (non-napping) children spend up to 3 hours outside, eating lunch, playing, moving in big ways, snacking, socializing…repeat.

One of their favorite games is chase. The thrill of the run is irresistible for most. We check in often about who wants to play chase, asking permission to chase, and redirecting the game if chase becomes too much for an individual or group. Sometimes the game becomes “run around as fast as you can.” Every day is new and different. But there is always running.

Another popular activity is “kitchen time”. This can become a very collaborative process where several groups of children open up several different kitchens at once. One kitchen might be making ice cream, another cooking up a batch of soup. I was once offered a cheese plate! They will use what’s on the playground as ingredients – rocks, grass, bark chips, actual herbs – and it can be quite an imaginative process to behold.

On exceptionally windy days, we get out the parachute and turn it into a warm shelter. It’s both practical and fun. It is often turned into a bedroom and we play “sleeping time/morning time” with it.

We build shelters with tires, splash in puddles, collect worms, create worm homes, sing songs, form bands. We play catch with various sized balls, bird watch, cloud watch, dig in dirt, climb ropes, spin and fall down. We have outdoor reading time, we sketch together, have conversations. It’s a place of freedom of movement and negotiating social exchanges. It’s a beautiful environment in which to witness children develop and it is a joy to spend time outside together.

Finally, here is a short TedxTalk, presented by Angela Hanscom, a pediatric occupational therapist, about the importance of outdoor movement for child development: tedxportsmouth.com/speakers/angela-hanscom/

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For more information:
info@frogsongpreschool.org
503-475-9257

Here's a beautiful video of the Frog Song class taking a nature walk around the Dharma Rain property.

Interested in enrolling? Email us to be placed on our prospective list for fall 2026 and beyond. We are currently full for fall 2025.

info@frogsongpreschool.org · (503) 475-9257

Address: 8500 NE Siskiyou St · Portland OR 97220

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