Summer Safety Rules
Toddlers build safety awareness through visual cues.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Summer Time
- Learning area: Understanding the World
- Level: EYFS Birth-2
Objectives
- Identify safe/unsafe summer behaviours with prompts.
Instructions
Materials
- Large poster board featuring high-contrast images of a sun, a hat, and a water bottle.
- A child-sized sun hat and a pair of sunglasses.
- A plastic water bottle filled with blue sensory beads.
- Laminated photos of children playing safely in the shade.
- A soft puppet to model the safety actions.
Learning Objectives
- Identify at least two items used for sun protection.
- Demonstrate the action of putting on a hat or sunglasses with assistance.
- Respond to simple verbal cues regarding safety, such as moving into the shade.
- Engage in sensory exploration of summer-themed objects.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Gather the children in a seated circle in a cool, shaded area of the classroom.
2. Introduce the puppet and explain that it is a very sunny day outside.
3. Show the children the sun hat and place it on the puppet while saying the word hat clearly.
4. Allow each child to touch the fabric of the hat or hold the sunglasses for a brief moment.
5. Present the water bottle and shake it to create a sound, explaining that we drink water to stay cool.
6. Point to the poster board images and name each item, encouraging the children to point along with you.
7. Model moving from a sunny spot on the rug to a shaded spot, using the phrase move to the shade.
8. Invite the children to mimic the movement of finding the shade with your guidance.
9. Conclude the activity by singing a short, repetitive song about wearing a hat and drinking water.
10. Transition the children to a quiet play activity to reinforce the calm, safe theme.
Educator Tip
Toddlers learn best through repetition and physical movement. If a child becomes restless, focus on the sensory aspect of the items rather than the verbal explanation. Keep the session under ten minutes to maintain engagement.
Assessment
- Observe if the child reaches for or touches the protective items when prompted.
- Note if the child follows the teacher to the shaded area during the movement portion.
- Record whether the child mimics the teacher when naming the safety objects.
Assessment
Observe and note: sustained engagement, sensory responses, early vocalisations, and attachment behaviours. Document using the Characteristics of Effective Learning framework (Playing and Exploring). Participation, correct identification with help.