Even the most ordinary destination - a local cafe or supermarket - can offer a rich and exciting learning opportunity for young children, and the more planning that is done, the more successful a visit is bound to be.
Maps, mobile phone numbers, risk assessment, ratios, head counts, toilet stops, first aid, children's clothing ... the list goes on. All should feature on a planning checklist, but what matters most is that children derive as much pleasure and learning as possible from a trip. Start then by asking yourself:
- Why are we going on this trip?
- Does it fit with children's current interests?
- What do we want the children to learn?
- What do we think they may gain from the experience?
- How are we going to ensure children get the most out of the visit?
- What will we draw to their attention?
- What questions will we ask them on the day?
- Will we take photographs?
- What resources and activities should we offer the children ahead of
the visit?
- How do we plan to extend their learning after the trip?
- Do all practitioners and volunteers understand the purpose of the
trip?
- Have they been given enough information?
As well as giving serious thought to the purpose of a trip, another factor that will guarantee a great day out is a trial run of the visit, including the journey. Where necessary, alert staff at the place about your visit - chances are they will be happy to make special arrangements for you. Essential, too, is that you agree rules of behaviour with the children before you go, so that they understand your expectations of them.
MORE INFORMATION
Walks and Visits by Sally Featherstone and Dawn Roper (Key Issues series, Featherstone Education, £12.99) is a handy guide to organising trips with young children. Covering a wide range of walks and visits, both local and further afield, it maps out suggestions and advice under the following headings:
- Intentions and Early Learning Goals
- What you need
- Your preparation
- Preparing the children
- Suggested activities (to do during the visit)
- Make it physical - some ideas for active movement on your walk
- Chatterbox (suggested questions to extend children's learning)
- When you get back (follow-up ideas and activities)
- Links between the learning goals and cross-curricular topics.
For more information, visit: www.acblack.com.
- See also: 'On the road' (Nursery World, 9 January 2008); 'A grand day out' (Nursery World, 8 September 2005)
