Sun Safety: How We Chill Out When Florida Heats Up
Hello friends!
The VPK Class of 2025 have sang their songs and taken their bows- that can only mean one thing - summer has arrived!
Florida summers are no joke—with temperatures soaring in to the 100s and humidity and UV levels high, it's essential to keep our little ones cool, active and safe. At The Melbourne Preschool, we've turned up the creativity to ensure our kids have a blast while staying safe from the sun's rays.
💦 Water Play Wednesdays: Splish, Splash, and Smile!
Every Wednesday, our playground transforms into a water park! For our tiniest adventurers, the pirate ship water table offers endless fun. Older kiddos revel in the excitement of sprinklers, bucket drops, and inflatable splash mats. Safety is our priority—there's no swimming involved, just supervised, splashy and cool fun!
🍓 Frozen Fridays: A Cool Treat to Beat the Heat
After a week of play, Fridays are reserved for a refreshing treat. Chef Nicole crafts delightful fresh fruit popsicles that are as nutritious as they are delicious. It's our sweet way to cool down and celebrate the week's adventures!
🎬 Movie Mondays: Chill Time Indoors
Given the intense afternoon heat in Florida, Mondays are perfect for indoor relaxation. Our big projector lights up with kid-friendly movies, offering a cozy and cool retreat from the sun. It's the only time we incorporate screen time, ensuring it's both special and age-appropriate. All movies shown are listed on our summer schedule so you’ll know exactly what your child is watching each week.
🌅 Morning Play: Early Birds Catch the Cool
To maximize outdoor fun while avoiding peak sun hours, we adjust our schedule during the summer. Playground time kicks off early, sometimes even before breakfast! Our playground boasts three oversized shades, providing ample protection in each of our 3 playgrounds, but sunscreen and wearing a hat is still important during Florida’s tropical summers. Parents play a vital role in keeping every child sage by applying sunscreen each morning!
💧 Hydration & Sun Safety: Our Top Priorities
Staying hydrated is crucial during the hot months! We ensure water is always accessible, even if your student forgot their water bottle that day. We have classroom water bottles we keep in the freezer- so it’s always refreshing and we encourage frequent sips throughout the day. Remember, children are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses, so these precautions are essential for a great summer.
📚 The Importance of Sun Safety
Carefully monitoring the heat index, and switching up our schedule during the summer months, is vital to avoiding heat stroke or sunburns for both our students and teachers. Research has shown that excessive sun exposure during childhood can increase the risk of skin cancer later in life- so we have shaped our summer programs around sun-safe behaviors, while still remaining active all summer long. By blending fun with safety, we ensure our preschoolers enjoy every moment of summer while staying protected. Here's to a summer season filled with laughter, splashes and sun-safety!
See you in the shade! Toodleoo!
Academic Sources:
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2019). Fun in the sun: Keep your family safe. North Florida Pediatrics. Retrieved from: https://northfloridapeds.com/Fun-in-the-Sun-Keep-Your-Family-Safe