Exploringmontessori

A while ago, I found myself googling outdoor activities for toddlers. Not because we never went outside — we did. We went for walks and to the park. But during winter especially, I noticed we were staying indoors more. Sometimes because it was cold. Sometimes because I felt tired. And sometimes simply because it felt easier to stay in.

That’s when I came across the 1000 Hours Outside challenge. And to be honest, it made me stop and think. I realised that although we did go outside, it wasn’t as often as I had assumed. It wasn’t something I was very intentional about.

Since then, I’ve been trying to change that. Not perfectly. Just more consciously.

He loves being outside. Recently, he started bringing us his shoes whenever he wants to go out. It’s such a small thing, but also such a clear reminder.

We’re not treating the 1000 hours as a strict challenge or something we need to track daily. For us, it’s more of a guide. A way to remind ourselves to step outside more often.

Most of the time, we don’t do anything special. We walk. He stops often. He picks things up, carries them for a while, and then leaves them behind. He notices things I would normally miss — leaves, stones, puddles, shadows.

Outside, he seems more settled. He moves at his own pace. There’s no rush.

Reading There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather also helped shift my mindset. I realised that most of the hesitation was mine, not his. When he’s dressed appropriately, he doesn’t seem to mind the cold or the wind. He just continues exploring.

I’m still not perfect at this. There are days when we don’t go out much. Days when I feel tired, or the weather makes staying inside more tempting. But I’m trying to be more aware of it. Trying to make outside part of our normal days, rather than something we only do when it’s convenient.

PS: Sorry for the lack of outdoor photos. I know that on social media, many people capture beautiful, perfect moments. Sometimes I do take photos, but often I choose not to — especially when he is deeply focused or when we are simply talking while walking.