Elementary School Lessons

Field trips are not just fun learning experiences outside the four walls of the classrooms. Field trips, aside from teaching new information via multi-sensorial means, are ways to teach school children about safety, independence and looking out for each other.

Here are a few several tips on how to prepare for a field trip:

• prep your child about the place they will visit: what to expect and how to behave accordingly
• prepare enough food that will not spoil and spill
• prepare food that will not have your child run to the nearest comfort room to relieve himself. What if there is none in sight?
• prepare fluids that will hydrate the child, something that is not too sweet
• prepare food by removing all wrappers at home and putting them in washable containers to avoid leaving trash behind. Field trips are now ZERO WASTE, fyi.
• have your child bring extra clothes and small towels for wiping perspiration
• have your child bring something that he can use to clean his hands before he eats: alcohol, wet tissue or wet towel, hand sanitizer (be careful though not to have him put his fingers in his mouth if he used this)
• have your child sleep early
• have breakfast before leaving for the field trip
• be early
• have your child bring identification cards and/or a mobile phone if this is allowed
• do not allow child to bring hand-held gadgets
• prepare a small emergency kit for your child: band-aid kit, tissue, wipes

If your child needs assistance or if you feel an extra pair of hands and eyes are needed, don’t hesitate to volunteer to join the field trip. Just remember to keep a little distance from your child and let him/her enjoy this time with his class.