For New Horizon Academy infant teacher Traci Wuchter, taking infants outside is not just an occasional treat, it is an essential part of their daily routine. Having dedicated 25 years to caring for young children, Traci has seen firsthand the incredible benefits of regular outdoor experiences for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

“It’s the best job, I can’t imagine myself doing anything else,” she shares, and her enthusiasm shines through in her approach to outdoor play.

Embracing the Seasons, Even in Minnesota!

Living in Minnesota means adapting to all four seasons, and for Traci, outdoor time is not just for the warm, sunny months. “Since the first day, [I’ve] taken the babies outside,” she says. “It’s part of our northern culture to get outside and to be outdoors people.”

Whether it is a snowy winter afternoon or a breezy autumn morning, she finds ways to make outdoor play an enriching and exciting experience for the infants at New Horizon Academy Fridley.

Winter Wonderlands: Sledding and Snow Play

Winter in Minnesota may be chilly, but that does not stop Traci from bundling up her infants and heading outside. “In winter, my kids love sledding. The smiles on their faces are just wonderful,” she says. She pulls them around the playground on sleds, introducing them to the variety of movements and the crisp winter air on their skin.

When the snow is just right, she turns to another favorite activity: building infant-sized snowmen and playful snow towers. “If you know infants, you know they love to knock down any block tower, anything! So, we just go out there, build snow towers, and knock them over,” she says with a laugh. “I like to have them help me try and stack them back up.”

Splish-Splashing Through Summer

Summer brings a whole new set of sensory experiences. “In summer, I think water day is a must,” Traci says. She sets up tubs of lukewarm water, filling them with balls, squirty fish, different fabrics, and cups for endless splashing fun. The children get to explore different textures, temperatures, and movements, all while staying cool.

Autumn Adventures: Leaves Galore

Fall is a season of vibrant colors and crunchy textures, perfect for infant exploration. Traci brings bags of leaves into her infant classroom, giving babies the chance to fully immerse themselves in the season.

“We like to sit in the leaves, walk in the leaves, and crawl through the leaves. And for my little babies who can’t sit yet, we lay them in the leaf pile and throw leaves in the air,” she explains. Seeing the leaves float down sparks curiosity and wonder as the infants try to catch them or simply watch them drifting to the ground.

A More Diverse Learning Experience

For Traci, outdoor play is more than just fresh air. It’s about creating a richer learning environment. “It’s a completely different experience than what they get inside,” she notes. “Whatever I can do inside, I can do outside, just in a different environment. It’s a more diverse experience for the babies.”

Even the simplest things can captivate infants, like the movement of tree branches overhead. “I can just lay them under the tree, and they are amazed by the branches moving,” she says. The New Horizon Academy playground is full of natural wonders, from flocks of geese wandering by to a resident squirrel in the tree. “We watch the breeze blow ripples in the retention pond right in front of our playground. We watch the grasses sway in the wind. We can feel the breeze on our faces, the snow on our cheeks, and the sun on our skin.”

Encouraging Outdoor Play for All Infants

Traci’s dedication to outdoor play in her infant classroom is a testament to its benefits, no matter the season. By embracing nature and adapting activities to fit the weather, she ensures that the infants in her care experience the joy, wonder, and learning opportunities that come with being outside.

“The more different experiences they have, the more they’re going to learn,” she says. “They’ll discover what they really like, test their skills, and challenge themselves in new ways.”

Embrace every season and give your little one the gift of outdoor exploration. Whether it is the crunch of autumn leaves, the sparkle of freshly fallen snow, or the warmth of the summer sun, every moment outside is a chance to learn, grow, and experience the world in a whole new way!

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with over 100 schools in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas. Through a play-based curriculum and high-quality daycare, New Horizon Academy schools nurture and prepare children to succeed in school and in life.

Schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care. Contact a New Horizon Academy childcare center near you today!

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