It is fall in Nova Scotia, so what does that mean? We have chillier mornings, hot afternoons, today could be 23 degrees and tomorrow could be 8 degrees; we have no idea what to wear or how to dress our littles! We thought we’d take a minute to share some of our most asked questions and best tips for dressing your littles this transitional season!
Q: What kind of clothes should my child be wearing right now?
Dress your children in layers, that consists of wearing a t-shirt (short-sleeved) shirt, a sweater. Thin pants are still appropriate for the fall, save the fleece for when it gets really cold (winter)! Remember, inside we can still control the temperature and your littles are busy moving around both inside and outside- which keeps their body temp up!
Q: What should I bring for outerwear?
*Light jacket- remember we can dress is layers so a light jacket can go over a t-shirt to add a layer or when it’s colder, we can add the sweater.
*Splash pants or a one-piece suit (our personal fav!), will not only protect children from wet weather, but it will add another layer on these colder days!
*Thin mittens, when looking for mittens things to keep in mind is that children need their thumbs to play.
*Boots and sneakers – sneakers are still appropriate for much of fall, but when it is colder or wet, you may want to have boots as an option. When looking at boots, think about your child’s ability to walk, you may want to consider a shorter boot that is more malleable.
*Hats- it is best to have choices as either a sun hat or a thin toque may be appropriate depending on the temperatures.
Q: I worry about my baby getting cold and sick.
Children have an amazing way to communicate their needs, while we worry about children getting cold – we equally worry about children over heating. A rule of thumb is, if you are comfortable, your child is comfortable- however check-in often with them and read their cues; a crying child may be uncomfortable. We also know that the outside provides fresh air, vitamin D and viruses are less likely to spread.
Q: I can’t get my child to dress appropriately.
Change can be hard- even when it comes to changing out wardrobe. Layers can be comfortable for some ( give me all the scarves!) while it can feel restricting to others. Mittens can be limiting to how children use their hands and it is super hard to run races in bulky boots.
You have options in how to handle these situations
- Let children learn naturally how temperature affects their body- let them play without a coat and mittens, but bring them along. Check-in and re-offer the choice.
- Use ACT “ I know you don’t want to wear boots, but it is raining and boots will keep your feet dry. Do you want to put them on yourself or should I help you?”
- Use a “getting dressed” sequence chart. Talk to your educator about getting a copy if you think this is something that can help you.
In the fall we really learn how to live day-to-day, hour-by-hour. As they say say “it’s not learning how to weather the storm, but learning how to dance in the rain”
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