Creative Health and Safety Experiences

Objectives Discuss the basic health practices in the ECE program Discuss the appropriate way to work with young children in health and safety matters Discuss traffic safety, fire safety, and poison safety in the ECE curriculum

Health and Safety in the Early Years Good health and safety practices need to be modeled by adults as much as they are included in actual lesson plans Your actions surely speak louder than words

Health Practices Simple Health Practices brushing teeth brushing hair bathing regularly general interest in cleanliness getting enough sleep getting enough good food These tasks are first taught at home and are then reinforced in the classroom No way should learning personal hygiene be a cause for shame or negative comments

Positive Approach to Health and Hygiene Emphasis must be on the positive view of self Large mirror at child’s level Sink easily operated by children Soap that children can easily use Bar of soap in an old knee high stocking tied to the faucet of the sink?????? Good/bad

Continued Daily routines serve as the basis for teaching children concept of body functions and parts Habits of caring for themselves Washing hands before/after using the toilet and before eating; brushing teeth after eating Routines like these should be established and followed at all age levels

Early Childhood Health Concerns Teachers can do very little to prevent illnesses in school BUT teachers can do a great deal to prevent injuries at school Provide simple first aid and comfort, then notify the parent according to instructions Prevention concerning poisonous plants

Safety Education Accidents are the leading cause of death for children under age 14 Accidents occur most frequently to those who have had little opportunity to explore, to find out for themselves, or to experience minor scraps and bumps – children who feel no responsibility for their own safety Have no idea of the consequences and experience in making decisions or judging hazards

Safety Continued A safe environment is one that is free from hazards and contains the presence of a diligent, observing, and supervising adult Emergency plans should be written and posted Teach children how to use the phone to dial emergency numbers or operator Think ahead, practice, practice, practice Decide about the precautions required for special needs students

Safety Continued Keep a first aid kit ready and refreshed periodically Assorted adhesive bandages Sterile gauze squares Roll of 1” wide adhesive tape Absorbent cotton Antibacterial spray Petroleum jelly Cloth or absorbent sanitary pads Cold packs in freezer At least one permanent staff person trained in CPR

Rules for Safety http://www.ecetp.pdp.albany.edu/video/safety_rules.shtm

Traffic Safety Real experiences are the best way to teach young children about traffic Most common cause of traffic accidents involving children is darting out in front of cars Goals include: Stop before entering any street Listen and look for traffic before crossing the street Walk across residential streets cautiously Be able to interpret traffic signs and signals correctly

Stop Before Entering Any Street For children under age 5 First lesson should be on stopping before entering any street For children under age 2 First lesson begins by going outside and identifying the different surfaces of the school and play yard and stopping every time the surface changes

Listen and Look for Traffic 2nd lesson Children learn to look and listen for traffic before crossing the street With adult supervision, take a field trip to learn the precautions Practice observing traffic and identifying directions as well as speed at which cars are traveling

Crossing a Residential Street Construct a pretend street with crosswalks and corners Role-playing pedestrians and drivers Reminded to stop at surfaces of yard changes and the street, begins to listen and look for oncoming traffic Tabletop with toy cars and people

More Safety Facts… Running to cross is another major cause of traffic deaths Children who are less coordinated than adults will trip and fall in front of oncoming traffic Teach children to walk with deliberate speed as they cross

Interpreting Traffic Signals and Signs Correctly Children need to be taught the meaning of the lights and signals found at intersections Red is used to symbolize danger and means “stop” Use red on objects that may be hazardous Play “follow-the-leader” games

Daily check of your center http://www.ecetp.pdp.albany.edu/video/childs_eye_view.shtm

Fire Safety Goals of Fire Safety include Teaching children to approach fire with caution and respect Involving children in practice fire drills Teaching young children to “drop and roll” should they be involved in a fire Teaching young children where the fire extinguisher is and how to use it, as well as how to call the fire department

More Fire Safety… Invite a firefighter to the classroom Ask yourself the questions on handout Licensing requires this to be posted and practiced on a monthly basis for Child Care Centers.

Poison Safety Thousands of children each year are victims of accidental poisoning You are responsible to teach children to take medicines only from adult family members, parents, physicians, or health personnel You are responsible to teach children to understand that some things are to eat, while others are not Using food for art confuses children on this point

Poisons Plants http://www.ecetp.pdp.albany.edu/video/poisonous_plants.shtm

More Poison Safety… Children under age 5 must have careful supervision You are responsible for observing the children, freeing the environment from poisonous substances, and removing nonfood objects that do find their way into the children’s mouths Check your room and outdoor play area for all poisonous substances, and remove the ones you find Cleaning supplies Food items are stored separately from nonfood items

Out door Safety http://www.ecetp.pdp.albany.edu/video/outdoor_safety.shtm

Zone Supervision http://www.ecetp.pdp.albany.edu/video/zone_supervision.shtm

Suggested Activities Demonstrate how germs are spread by dipping a tissue into flour and pretend to “sneeze.” Flour goes everywhere, just like germs! Puppets Cold and germs with a spray bottle