PL 5.05Outdoor Care
The child cares for the outdoor space: sweeping paths, raking leaves, watering the garden, and pulling weeds.
Presentation
- 1
Invite the child to the tool rack. Point out the outline for each tool.
- 2
Put on gloves. Take the rake and carry it with the teeth pointing down, close to the ground.
- 3
Rake leaves toward one pile with long, slow strokes.
- 4
Scoop the pile into the bucket with your hands. Carry it to the compost and empty it.
- 5
Return the rake to its outline on the rack. Hanging each tool on its outline is the point of interest.
- 6
On other days, present sweeping the path, watering the garden, and pulling weeds by holding the base of the plant and pulling straight up.
- 7
Invite the child to choose an outdoor job.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Wash outdoor tables and chairs
- Plant bulbs or seeds in a garden bed
- Shovel light snow from a path
- Keep a weekly outdoor jobs chart
Control of error
Leaves or debris left on the path; an empty outline on the rack shows a tool not returned.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Carries tools safely, pointed down
- Completes a chosen outdoor job and returns the tool
- Identifies a garden plant from a weed after instruction
Guide note
Show the difference between weeds and planted flowers before children pull anything. Check the outdoor area for sharp or toxic plants.