Considering the Climate of Your Outdoor Spaces: How heat and shade impact health and play, and what you can do about it by Kirsten Haugen

What if you could improve children’s physical and mental health, support quality play and learning, make your space more beautiful and comfortable, and sow the seeds of environmental stewardship all at the same time? You can, by considering the impact of shade and surfacing on the temperatures children experience while outdoors and by choosing or modifying children’s outdoor spaces accordingly.

In this fresh webinar presented by Kirsten Haugen, you will explore current data showing how shade of all types (open space, canopies, trees, pergolas, etc.), and surfacing choices (grass, asphalt, dirt, sand, rubber, etc.) dramatically affect both air and surface temperatures. Then we’ll look at research and field observations demonstrating the ways local variations in sun, shade and temperatures impact children’s physical and mental health, and the quality of their play, behavior, and learning. Spoiler alert: excess sunlight and heat have more negative impacts on children’s well-being across domains, and tree shade has unique benefits!

You will learn about commonly available tools you can use to collect your own temperature data and discuss the nuances, pros and cons of different shade and surfacing choices, including both natural and manufactured options. Empowered with this knowledge, you will explore examples, opportunities, considerations, and resources you can use to advocate for outdoor environments that enhance children’s health, play and learning, and implement the solutions that are right for you.

In this session, you will:

• Recognize how choices for shade, surfacing, play equipment and furnishings in outdoor environments greatly impact the air and surface temperatures children experience while outdoors.

• Gain a deeper understanding of how air and surface temperatures, especially extreme heat and excessive sun exposure, can negatively impact children’s physical and mental health, and the quality of their play and learning.

• Understand the tools and strategies needed to assess air and surface temperatures, advocate for healthier, more beneficial outdoor environments, and improve children’s development and well-being by making thoughtful choices about and changes in children’s outdoor spaces.