Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Daily routine safety precautions to develop Teacher Awareness

    Posted 03-04-2021 09:08 AM
    Hello,
    I am reaching out for advice and guidance around  'safety precautions' which would help build teachers' awareness and/or assist in teaching children about safety. Our Co-ordinators have access to 'Emergency Preparedness' as one of the school improvement plan goals, with the focus on fire, threats, and big emergencies. But they are also interested in safety for young children to develop awareness for teachers. For example, 
    - how to play safely, use scissors, pencils, etc. 
    - general safety in the classroom (toys put away off the floor). 
    Hoping members can provide the kind or advice and guidance that is always available on this site. Thanks so much.


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    Kim Saunders
    Teacher-Trainer
    Maple Bear Global Schools
    St. John's, Newfoundland
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  • 2.  RE: Daily routine safety precautions to develop Teacher Awareness

    Posted 03-04-2021 10:33 AM
    We were under a specific grant and funding so they came with their own set of standards, particularly health and safety standards. The process of implementing and reflecting came when we went through each standard and thought about what each one looked like in the classroom. I think that was most helpful for me when trying to implement. I listed some of the things we were taught, I'm sure there are more points to include.
    • In the playground we implemented  "zones" and we learned how to place zone areas for supervision of children, so each teacher when in the playground would cover that zone.
    • I think planning for child engagement is also important in the playground, we would rotate building blocks, or gross motor toys to bring outside with us so children had the opportunity to be engaged while outdoors. 
    • Counting the number of children in attendance between every transition to and from the classroom.
    • The importance of having families sign in and sign out. For instance if a child leaves early and there is a fire drill, yet on the attendance log they are considered signed in etc. 
    • Teaching children safety, we used pictures and had 2-3 classroom promises that we went over each morning. We also had playground promises with pictures.
    • Between my co-worker and I in the classroom we modeled a lot of behaviors that we wanted to see among the children.

    Hope this helps!

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    Mary Samour
    Online Community Manager
    National Association for the Education of Young Children
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Daily routine safety precautions to develop Teacher Awareness

    Posted 03-13-2021 12:04 PM
    Hi @Kim Saunders,

    The American Academy of Pediatrics offers this free online course Keeping Children Safe - Injury Prevention in Early Care and Education Settings, and I've used it for faculty training often. The course info is:

    Why is This Important?

    Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death and disability among children nationally. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) call pediatric injuries "among the most under-recognized public health problems facing the United States." Yet, trends in child care licensing show that few states require initial and ongoing health and safety training for those who work in early education settings. Providing them with knowledge and skills related to common safety and injury prevention topics can lead to improved safety for the children in their care.

    This course content is organized into 3 units:

    • Unit 1. Recognition, Prevention, and Reporting of Common Injuries
    • Unit 2. Best Practices for Outdoor Safety
    • Unit 3. Best Practices for Indoor Safety

    The Keeping Children Safe - Injury Prevention in Early Care and Education Settings online course is funded through grants from Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.

    Note to child care providers: 
    This course is approved for 1.5 contact hours of training credit. Once you have completed the course, click the Print Certificate link on the Course Status page to print your certificate of completion.


    Best,
    Erin
    ​​

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    Erin Murray
    Education Consultant
    Moorestown, NJ
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Daily routine safety precautions to develop Teacher Awareness

    Posted 04-02-2021 12:57 PM
    Hi Everyone!
    Our program has been implementing this program that teaches the staff and children how to keep everyone safe while we are at school. Take a look into the program called Conscious Discipline. Home - Social and Emotional Learning | Conscious Discipline
    I hope this helps!!!

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    Jennifer Alquist
    Teacher
    Concord First Academy
    Concord NC
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    Original Message