Children in Australia have grown up in a society that is cautious and fearful about getting sick. They may have strong emotions about getting a cold, the flu or coronavirus. Early childhood educators can reassure children and help them understand and take care of their own health and wellbeing.
EYLF learning outcomes
Children's right to good health is embedded in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and The National Quality Standard.
The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) asks children to take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing (3.2), and to feel safe, secure and supported (1.1).
Learning experiences
Learn healthy self-help skills
Young children can learn self-help skills like washing their hands, using serving utensils, blowing their noses, and sneezing into their arms.
Early childhood educators can:
- demonstrate the correct procedure
- describe what they are doing
- explain the importance of their actions
- support children in performing the skill themselves
- kindly remind children when they forget.
Make your own signs
Unfortunately, early childhood settings can have walls crowded with safety posters. Encourage your children to make their own signs about important practices like handwashing and mask wearing. Laminate their signs and display them in appropriate places.
Expand your home corner
Add items to your home corner that are relevant to being sick. These might include doctors equipment, boxes of tissues, handkerchiefs, face masks, empty bottles of hand sanitiser, and thermometers. Children can use these in their dramatic play.
Draw a Coronavirus
Children who ask what a Coronavirus is may like to draw what they think it looks like. Because children can't see the virus, they are free to imagine how it could be. Encourage children to express their emotions and opinions through drawing.
Resources
Picture books
And The People Stayed Home By Kitty O'Meara