I cannot stress enough the importance of getting children outside everyday. Sure, sure, sure, there are all kinds of studies about how being in nature is good for brain development, but the real reason is that if they don’t get to around and scream outside, they will do so inside, and then I will implode.
Case in point: last Thursday. It rained all day and we were very, very, very, very loud. It was rough.
I have often thought that it would be cool to order a classroom set of umbrellas, but they were pretty pricey. The cheapest I could find were about four bucks, and that seemed steep for about twenty. However, I was willing to pay any price by Thursday afternoon. Oriental Trading, the party supply place, came through with 24 for about fifty bucks.
They are mine now.
They are cheap, but I think we can make them last a while. I numbered them so I can hold a grudge against the child who bends #12 or whatever.
We tried them out at recess and they were exactly as funny as I had hoped. 🙂
Brad says
You should get them to use them on sunny days when they want some portable shade. No one uses umbrellas for shade, and it’s a darn shame. They’re much better than just wearing a hat. If you started by teaching little kids to do it, maybe it would eventually catch on with adults as well.
Deborah says
I agree about the need to go outside. It’s healthier for all involved. And I’m sure they love their umbrellas. So much fun!
Elaine Royuk says
Two things in life I really dislike: recess in the room and a car that does not work right! The first one is now history.
Kristi says
Did any of them act like Mary Poppins? That’s what my kids like to do. They also look for every possible puddle and STOMP in it. My washing machine gets a good workout, but it’s worth it…for my own mental health.