The apple orchard, the pumpkin patch, the petting zoo, the fire station – places I’ve visited with my children’s preschool. We had a lot of fun, not only while squeezed three to a seat during the lumbering bus rides, but also while exploring the unique features of these exciting locations.
In this post, I am going to try to convince parents of preschool age children to tackle the task of chaperoning, because of the many benefits associated with doing so. Believe me; it is worth taking a vacation day from work to tag along on these adventures.
First, if you want to feel special in the eyes of little ones, you should chaperone a preschool field trip. A mom or dad who goes on these trips becomes the surrogate parent for all the kids in your group. It is amazing to watch these energetic three- and four-year-olds as they ride a pony for the first time, or when they milk a mild-mannered cow. Not to mention the lively chatter that you can participate in on the ride to your destination or during lunch.
Next, if you like learning, chaperoning field trips offers a great way to expand your knowledge about a subject first hand. Sure, each trip is geared towards the little ones, but an adult can come away with tons of new information as well. For instance, I vividly remember a visit to the local Survive Alive House. While there, the firefighters talked about what to do if you wake up in a smokey room. Then we actually practiced escaping from a “smoke-filled” home. It proved to be an amazing experience; I certainly felt more confident having an escape plan for my family after that trip.
Another reason to chaperone – a chance to bond with your own child. It may not seem like it, but you will be able to connect with your son or daughter as a result of these trips. Think of it this way: you are sharing a memory. After the trip you can talk about what you both saw, the funny things that happened, and even how tired you both felt at the end of the day. Even years later, you will be able to reminisce about the great time you had together. In fact, my middle daughter and I still laugh about how the chickens pecked at her feet in the petting zoo.
Finally, these field trips offer a great way to exercise. After running after three- and four-year-olds for an entire day, while they race from activity to activity, you will be literally worn out. A bonus is that usually on the bus ride home, the kids will fall asleep, so you can nap too.
So, if you’ve been putting off going on a field trip with your child’s preschool class, don’t hesitate. It’s an amazing opportunity you don’t want to let slip by. I am thankful I traveled to all those locations with my kids, and I’m sure you will be glad too.