Weather Ready

This list gives educators and families resources about how to keep young children safe, healthy, and comfortable in all types of weather.
Web Resources
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AirNow
Source: AirNow
AirNow is your one-stop source for air quality data. This website highlights air quality in local areas, while providing air quality information at state, national, and world views. A new interactive map allows users to zoom out to get the big picture or drill down to see data for a single air quality monitor.
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Child Care Weather Watch
Source: Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral
Being active and playing outdoors are an important part of childhood. This article gives early childhood educators ideas on how they can help keep children safe while they learn and stay active outside. This article includes topics such as sun exposure, bug bites, playground injuries, and water play.
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Cold Weather Safety
(also in Spanish)Source: Head Start ECLKC
Children are more vulnerable than adults to the effects of cold weather. These tips help families and staff keep children safe, healthy, and warm in the winter.
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Cold Weather Safety for Children: Preventing Frostbite & Hypothermia
(also in Spanish)Source: HealthyChildren.org
Whether winter brings severe storms, light dustings, or just cold temperatures, the tips in this article can help keep young children safe and warm.
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Dress for the Season
Source: PBS
In this interactive game, children are prompted to help the animals get dressed for each season. The earth changes with each season, and children can enjoy and learn from these changes. Observing the ways in which these changes take place can be a wonderful tool to introduce concepts such as evaluation and very basic problem solving.
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Extreme Heat: Tips to Keep Kids Safe When Temperatures Soar
(also in Spanish)Source: HealthyChildren.org
This article for parents and educators offers tips to beat the heat and explains signs of heat illness in children.
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Graphical Forecasts using Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)
Source: National Weather Service – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
This website displays searchable maps showing information for your local area about weather using wet bulb globe temperatures. The map is shaded in colors for temperature risk factors from low to elevated to moderate to high to extreme. This website may be helpful when planning when or how long to be outside.
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Heat and Infants and Children
(also in Spanish)Source: Centers on Disease Control (CDC)
This article for parents gives tips on how to keep infants and children cool and hydrated when it’s hot outside.
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Outdoor Play and Safety for Children in ECE
Source: Centers on Disease Control (CDC)
Being active and playing outdoors are an important part of childhood. This article gives early childhood educators ideas on how they can help keep children safe while they learn and stay active outside. This article includes topics such as sun exposure, bug bites, playground injuries, and water play.
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Playing Outside in Winter: Tips to Keep Kids Warm & Safe
(also in Spanish)Source: HealthyChildren.org
This article gives parents tips to stay safe during winter sports and activities and how to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.
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Summer Sun, Heat & Air Quality: Tips to Keep Kids Safe
(also in Spanish)Source: HealthyChildren.org
Summer means more time for kids to enjoy the many benefits of outdoor play. Just don’t let too much sun, heat, or poor air quality spoil the fun.
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Sun Safety: Information for Parents About Sunburn & Sunscreen
(also in Spanish)Source: HealthyChildren.org
Warm, sunny days are wonderful. It’s good for children to spend time playing and exercising outdoors, and it’s important they enjoy it safely. This article offers tips on how to help keep families safe from too much exposure to the sun’s harmful rays.
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What to Do When Kids Refuse to Put on Certain Clothing
(also in Spanish)Source: Understood
When kids refuse to put on certain clothes, it might seem like they’re just being difficult. But refusing clothing may not be about stubbornness. This article gives some quick tips for parents on how to help children with clothing.
About this resource
Setting(s) for which the article is intended:- Home
- Family Child Care
- Child Care Center
- Preschool Program
Intended audience(s):
- Parents / Family
- Teachers / Service providers
Age Levels (the age of the children to whom the article applies):