The Value of a Snow Day

As I sit writing this, there’s a large storm moving through the U.S.

It started in the Midwest and is headed to the East Coast.

Everyone’s talking about it in my area.

Everyone is also talking about the fact that now that we know and have done (or are doing) virtual learning, snow days are a thing of the past.

There’s no need to have a day off from school anymore, just log on and keep learning.

There are 2 sides to this, the first being our students have already missed so much this year due to Covid, the learning must continue.

The second being, our kids have already missed so much, online learning is hard, and kids are anxious, so a snow day might be a good idea.

I’m here to advocate for the latter.

The Value of a Snow Day

I want to talk about the value of a snow day.

I am unclear when learning became all about sitting behind a desk (or in front of a screen), but it did.

I am also unclear about when the definition of learning narrowed to only mean sitting at a desk with a teacher at the front of the room giving out information.

There has been a shift from less time for lunch and recess, to more time for “learning”.

The same is now beginning to apply to snow days.

We don’t need them anymore because everyone can connect at home.

But I’m here to tell you.

We still need snow days.

Not only that, but there is great value in having them as part of a child’s school experience.

Let me take a step back and explain.

Why Snow Days and Important

As an occupational therapist (and a parent), I am frequently asked by other parents what they can do at home to help their child progress.

My first suggestion is almost always “go outside”.

Much is learned away from a desk.

Study after study prove the benefits of play and being outdoors, yet we somehow find ways to thwart that.

A snow day is the perfect opportunity to put desk learning on hold and do some outdoor/ snow day learning.

Kids learn best by doing and what’s more fun than going out in the snow?

There are so many things we can’t see that help kids develop, and movement is one of them.

When a snow day is given, there is an opportunity to break from the norm and have some fun and explore!

Build a snowman, have a snowball fight, flop down and make a snow angel.

There are too many skills to list that getting outside during a snow day can address.

Now I know some will say “even with a snow day, my child will spend all day on a screen.”

This may be true, but there are some good things about screens and self directed learning.

A snow day gives children the opportunity to explore on their own, or maybe even put down the screen and play a board game, a card game, read a book, or bake with mom and dad.

Again, there are too many skills to list that are addressed by all of these activities.

So while our kids may not be learning about decimals on a snow day, I guarantee you they are learning.

And what they are learning on a snow day can have just as much value as being in a classroom virtual or otherwise.

Until next time,

PS-I realize everyone doesn’t live in a climate where snow days happen, but my main point is still there.

There is value in getting outside and having a little fun!