How cold is "too cold" for your 5 yr.old to be outdoors for 30 min. recess? Kids go out at min. 5 degrees.

Question

I'm currently at odds w/my son's school for allowing students outside during recess in the cold weather. They say kids go outside when temperature is minimum 5 degrees. "Extreme" weather conditions are below 5 degrees &/heavy rain/snowfall. I totally disagree & understand that colds come from viruses & the spread of germs, etc. but as a mother with an asthmatic 5 yr.old who doesn't like to keep a hat on his head....if my son gets sick, he's more prone to have an attack & while the cold weather is indeed a "trigger" for his asthma, no one can really say at what temperature & in what conditions would set off an attack. My concern is more so that he'll get sick w/sniffles & a sore throat & go downhill from there. If he gets a chest cold with a bad cough & congestion, THAT for sure will aggravate his asthma & I have a problem with that. Even if my son didn't have asthma, I think 5 degrees is too cold for the kids to go outside. I personally believe 35 & under is too cold. Am I wrong?

Answer 1

My children's school does the same thing. They even play out in the snow. I think its fine, since they walk to and from school daily in the weather. Kids need a chance to run around and play. As long as its not raining, my kids will be outside that day. Its winter for about 7 months per year here. Keeping the kids inside would be cruel to me.
Since your child has asthma, ask the teacher to keep an eye on him and help keep his hat on. Tell him daily to keep it on. Make sure he's dressed for the weather and has coat, hat, gloves, and a scarf each day. Kids need to run and they need sunlight. Make sure he eats a daily vitamin and washes his hands alot. I honestly think outside winter play does more good than harm.

Answer 2

It may depend on what area of the country you are in. We live in Michigan and our school's policy is based on the wind chill factor. When the wind chill is below 0 than the kids have indoor recess as well as when it is raining. For our area, 35 is actually pretty warm for winter. All of our recess aids and teachers on recess duty make the kids keep their hats and gloves/mittens on as well as coats zipped up. Every child, even the kindergarteners, know this is the school rule and usually police each other even before the teacher or aide knows the hat is off or the coat is unzipped. It has been proven in numerous studies that children who spend time outside, even during cold weather, actually have fewer colds and illnesses. If your child's doctor prefers he remain indoors if the temperature is below a level that differs from the school policy, simply get a doctor's note for your son and he will be able to stay inside. He will most likely have to sit in the office during recess, but if that is what you and his doctor think are best, than the school should have no problem working with you. If you know of other parents who agree with you that the temperature policy is too low, then you should have a meeting all together with the principal to discuss the issue. If you are the only who has an issue with this, then you will have to either work with your son on the importance of dressing appropriately for the weather or make other arrangements for him during the bad weather. It is not fair to the other children to remain inside because your son needs to.

Answer 3

you definitely are not wrong. your son's school should have an option for parent's to not send their children out in that extreme cold, and for children who are not able to know when they are getting frostbite, or may take off their hats and scarves, extreme cold is anything under 40 degrees. the school's policy of recess during the winter is outrageous, and i would encourage you to start a petition and promptly request a meeting with the board of education, the superintendent and the principal. and when that fails, because from what you say i know it will, call the local press and have them run the story and the petition, and have the media cover the children standing outside in the cold for 30 mins.

Answer 4

I would say it is a regional decision, kids up here in South Dakota wouldn't be able to go outside at all during December, Jan, Feb, March at the 35 degree rule. At my daughters school they go outside to 5 degrees, with their snow pants, hats, coats, mittens, boats, and scarves, and have a blast. I understand your issues about the asthma, because my daughter also has asthma. But the cool air can actually be good for their lungs, and really our kids are going to catch colds during the winters, and we have to deal with that with medications, nebulizers, etc. I like my daughter to get the fresh air playing outside, but she is pretty good about keeping her hat on.

Answer 5

Let the school know about his condition. I agree with you that is really cold. I don't even let my guy outside to play when its reaches freezing. If the principle won't help you take it to the superintendent, then call your school board president because these people have control over the policies. I would also talk to other parents just for back up support.

Answer 6

where do you live? Here in Canada at 35 F it is totally balmy in the winter. Kids go out at 0 so I dont see a problem with a kid being outside and playing at 5 or warmer.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

no your not wrong. you should be able to tell the school not to allow your child outside at certain temps. and they should listen. i remember when i was in school we would watch a movie on cold days and not go outside. thats wrong that they allow kids out in such bad weather.