Early childhood educators often teach children there are good fires and bad fires. There are candles on a birthday cake and fire is in a gas oven. And there are natural disasters that destroy homes and lives.
Fire education in the early years can include lessons in home safety, bushfire preparedness, environmental issues, STEM activities, and the role of firefighters and fire services.
EYLF learning outcomes
Fire is a natural phenomenon that aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework. It teaches children about materials (4.4), the environment (2.4), and health and physical wellbeing (3.2).
Early childhood educators have traditionally planned lessons about the fire brigade to teach children about safety (1.1), health (3.2) and the community (2.1). This topic also connects children to people and places (4.4).
Learning experiences
Monitor fires across Australia
Each state in Australia has maps or alert lists for current fires. Look at fire locations in real-time: NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA.
Count the number of fires on the map. Are there fires near where you live?
Light a pretend fire
Provide children with a collection of sticks, a torch, and red, yellow and orange cellophane. Show them how to build a pretend fire by covering the torch with sticks and cellophane. The light of the torch will make the cellophane glow like pretend flames.
Light a real fire
Many Australian childcare centres are safely incorporating fire building and safety into their bush kindy programs. Rachael Morrison, a teacher at Goodstart Lara, says:
“The children love learning about how it all works, particularly exploring some of the science behind fire – for example that it requires fuel, oxygen and heat to burn…
“There’s something almost magical about seeing the children out amongst nature, sitting around a winter campfire, roasting marshmallows and sharing stories with their friends.”
Henrietta Cook writes about lighting fires as an aspect of risky play at Fitzroy child care centre:
"About two years ago, and under the close supervision of adults, the centre introduced its 45 children to fire.
"They started with candles in jars at mealtimes before moving onto weekly outdoor fires."
When building campfires with children, follow these considerations:
- Only light small fires that you can manage safely.
- Choose an appropriate time of year, like winter.
- Check your local fire danger rating.
- Check that fire lighting and gathering firewood is allowed at your chosen location.
- Ensure your fire is cleaned up respectfully afterwards.
- Have a documented risk management plan for all fire-related activities.
Discussions
- What should we do if we see a fire? Why is it important to stay away from hot stoves and fireplaces?
- Why are some fires good and some fires bad?
- How do we use good fire in our daily lives? Can you think of some examples?
- Who helps us when there is a bad fire? What is their job called? What kind of tools do firefighters use to put out fires? Can you name a few of them?
- How does fire spread from one place to another? Why is it important to keep things that can catch alight away from heat sources?
- What do we do in a fire safety drill? How can we stay safe in case of a real fire?
Resources
Picture books
- Fire by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley
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The Fire Wombat by Jackie French and Danny Snell
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Looking After Country with Fire by Victor Steffensen and Sandra Steffensen
Songs
Hurry hurry, drive the fire truck
Websites
National Geographic Kids: What is a bushfire?