Benefits of Field Trips for Preschoolers

Field trips aren’t just for older students — the benefits of field trips in early childhood can’t be underestimated. Field trips with preschool-aged students can have significant and long-lasting benefits on a child’s academic performance and personal well-being. However, it may be better to skip the science museum and historical sites. Instead, opt for destinations that will teach and reinforce the social skills preschoolers are rapidly developing. Some of our favorite ideas for preschool field trips include:

• Farm
• Children’s theater
• Children’s museum
• Aquarium
• Farm
• Bakery
• Fire station
• Zoo
• Library
• Park

Yes, it seems like these are just “fun” places — and they are — but remember that children learn through play. Offering them new play experiences teaches them new things about the world around them. It’s also a great tool for teaching social skills such as using indoor voices, sharing with friends and learning about community helpers.

When we’re talking about the importance of field trips in early childhood education, there are always many questions about how teachers can keep small children safe during these outings. Safety should always be the number one priority on any teacher’s mind when coordinating a field trip. A lot of planning goes into each trip to ensure there are enough chaperones to keep a watchful eye on children and the itinerary is carefully structured to avoid any lapses that would allow children time to wander off.

A successful field trip often requires a partnership between parents and teachers. Teachers rely on parents to volunteer their time as chaperones, as well as offer assistance sending their child with the appropriate necessities for a trip, which include seasonally appropriate clothing, sunscreen, and lunch, if needed. Parents can also support teachers during the planning process by turning in the appropriate permission slips, payments, and other items needed to finalize plans. It may seem like a small thing, but by meeting deadlines and following instructions, parents can ensure that their child has a fun, safe experience each and every time.

Work Cited“Ways Field Trips Strengthen Your Child’s Education – Haymarket Children’s Academy.” Haymarket Children’s Academy, 15 December 2020, https://haymarketca.com/benefits-of-field-trips/. Accessed 9 January 2023.