Preschoolers are adventurous by nature, they love to explore, play, run and climb. Child safety is the number one goal for any teacher or parent. Preschoolers are vulnerable to certain hazards that can be avoided, the five most potentially hazard situations for a preschooler are:
· Choking
· Poisoning
· Falls
· Drowning
· Violence
In order to avoid these hazardous situations teachers and parents must be aware of the child’s surrounding and what conditions they are exposed to. Simple steps can be taken in and outside of the home or classroom to keep children safe at all times. The table below shows the common hazardous situations and precautions that can be taken to avoid the safety threat.
Safety Hazard : | Precautions: |
Choking | Remove small objects, if it can fit through a toilet paper roll it can choke a child. |
Poisoning | Use child proofing mechanisms to lock cabinets and drawers that contain surface cleaners, medications, insect repellant and other potentially hazardous items that can poison a child. Explain to children what they can eat and what they shouldn’t eat. |
Falls | Use gates on stairways and lock doors that lead to stairs. Cover sharp corners in areas that children play the most. |
Drowning | Always supervise children around any body of water inside or outside of the home, Never leave children alone in the bath tub, pool or any other body of water. Teach water safety. |
Violence | Teach children that hitting is hurting. Teach them about law enforcement and that they are there to help. Teach them how to contact authorities to report accidents and crime. |
“If a child’s home environment is safe and secure, the child trusts that the teacher’s is also” (Robertson, 2010 p. 58.).
Not only do we have to teach ourselves and children about safety but we also have to teach parents the importance of safety practices. Talking with parents about what they can do at home to ensure child safety is important in order to protect the child from risks. Parents need to be aware of the surroundings in which the child is playing, exploring and developing in. If the child is growing up in an environment that is not safe, they won’t feel safe anywhere else they go. Using safety locks, removing small objects, gating stairs and knowing what conditions the child is exposed to, will keep the child safe from injuries.
References:
Robertson, C. (2010). Safety, nutrition, and health in early education 4th addition. Belmont, CA: WadsWorth.
The point you made about violence is perfect! When kids hit, they do not always realize they are hurting the victim. I try to tell the victim to use their words to let the bully know how they feel about being hit. Lots of times, the bully at daycare is the victim at home.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Rhianna, good luck with your dream to become a teacher. You will do great!
You made a good point Rhianna child safety starts at home. When parents teach children safety it set bounders for them, knowing not to touch light sockets, or the stove, stay away from stairs these are some rules they learn early on and are able to take them to daycares.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your posting. Your provide good information about children safety. I agree with you how parents need to be aware of the surroundings in which the child is playing, exploring and developing in.
ReplyDeleteYour post providing alot of useful information. This is information that both teachers and parents can use to keep children safe. You are so right as educators we have to educate the parents also about safety because lack of knowledge of something so important can have fatal results.
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