Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, prepare a real (but safely empty or child-safe) first aid box with its contents for demonstration. The central idea for pupils is to identify the box and its common items, and most importantly, to understand that they must always tell a trusted adult immediately if an accident happens, rather than trying to handle it themselves. Observe pupils’ ability to point to the first aid box and verbally state “Tell an adult.”
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Second Term
Week: 8
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Health Habits
Curriculum Theme: Health Habits
Previous Lesson: Good eating habits
Topic: FIRST AID
Subject Matter: Using a first aid box and what to do during an accident.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify a first aid box when shown.
- Name at least two items found in a first aid box.
- State that they should tell an adult during an accident.
Affective Domain
- Show concern for others who might be hurt.
- Listen attentively to instructions on what to do during an accident.
Psychomotor Domain
- Point to the first aid box and its contents.
- Demonstrate how to calmly tell an adult about an accident.
Social Domain
- Participate in discussions about safety.
- Practise asking for help from an adult.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources
- Relevant picture charts and posters
Instructional Materials
- A real first aid box (empty or containing child-safe items)
- Contents of a first aid box: plasters, antiseptic wipes, cotton wool, small bandage, child-safe blunt scissors (for demonstration), small bottle of antiseptic liquid (empty or sealed)
- Pictures or charts showing a first aid box and its contents
- Posters depicting children telling an adult about an accident
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is crucial for 4-year-olds as it teaches them basic safety awareness and the importance of seeking help from adults during emergencies. Understanding what a first aid box is and knowing to tell an adult when an accident occurs empowers children to react appropriately and safely, fostering a sense of responsibility for their well-being and that of others.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils have seen adults caring for minor cuts or bruises and understand that some things can cause pain or injury. They also know how to call for their parents or teachers.Lesson Content/Board Summary
Using a First Aid Box and What to Do During an Accident
A first aid box is a special box that holds things we use to help people when they have small cuts, scrapes, or get a little hurt. It helps us give “first help” before a doctor is needed.
Contents of a First Aid Box
- Plasters: For small cuts and scrapes.
- Antiseptic wipes: To clean a small wound.
- Cotton wool: To apply medicine or clean.
- Bandage: To cover bigger scrapes or hold a dressing.
- Small scissors: To cut plasters or bandages (only for adults to use).
- Antiseptic liquid: To clean wounds (adults use this).
What to Do During an Accident
When an accident happens, even a small one, it is very important to:
- Stay calm: Don’t run or shout too much.
- Tell an adult immediately: Find a teacher, parent, or any trusted adult and tell them what happened.
- Do not touch the wound: Let the adult help.
Key Words
- First Aid: The first help given to someone who is hurt.
- Box: A container.
- Accident: Something bad that happens unexpectedly.
- Adult: A grown-up person.
- Plaster: A sticky strip to cover small cuts.
Safety First Song
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
If you fall or get a bump,
Do not cry or make a jump.
Find a grown-up, quick, quick, quick,
Tell them fast, don’t miss a trick.
“Teacher, teacher, I got hurt!”
They will help, and clean the dirt.
Actions: Point to self, pretend to fall, shake head “no”, point to an imaginary adult, pretend to tell, point to an adult again, mime cleaning.
Watch and Learn: What to Do in an Emergency
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Begin by showing the actual first aid box and asking pupils what they think it is. Explain its purpose simply. Then, one by one, take out the child-safe contents, name them, and briefly explain their use. Emphasize that only adults use these items. Transition to discussing accidents and the crucial rule: always tell an adult. Use simple language and clear examples.
What to show or demonstrate: Show the actual first aid box. Take out and display each item (plaster, antiseptic wipe, cotton wool, bandage) one at a time, naming it and demonstrating its general use (e.g., “This is a plaster for a small cut”). Role-play a small accident (e.g., pretending to trip) and then demonstrate how to calmly approach an adult and say, “Teacher, I fell down!”
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Safety First Song” after discussing what to do during an accident. Sing it slowly with actions, repeating it 2-3 times to help pupils remember the key message of telling an adult. Encourage pupils to join in with the words and actions.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a short story about what to do if someone gets hurt. Ask pupils to watch carefully for who the children tell when there is an emergency. After watching, discuss what they saw and reinforce the message of telling a trusted adult.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils can correctly identify the first aid box and if they understand the importance of telling an adult. Watch for any pupils who might be hesitant to speak up during role-play and encourage them gently.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Play-based Learning
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Songs and Rhymes
- Picture Talk
- Question and Answer
- Role-play
- Repetition
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engaging/Recalling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them if they have ever fallen down or gotten a small scratch. “What did your mummy or daddy do to help you?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by sharing their experiences or naming someone who helped them.
Learning Point: Pupils recall past experiences with minor injuries and help, linking to the lesson topic.
Step 2: Identifying the First Aid Box
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Identification/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher brings out the first aid box and asks, “What do you think this box is for? It’s a special box called a first aid box.” The teacher explains its purpose simply.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the box, touch it carefully, and repeat “first aid box” after the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and name a first aid box.
Step 3: Exploring Contents of the First Aid Box
Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Naming/Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher opens the first aid box and takes out each child-safe item (plaster, antiseptic wipe, cotton wool, bandage), names it, shows it to the pupils, and briefly explains its use. The teacher emphasizes that only adults should handle these items.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch, listen, and name the items as the teacher shows them. They may point to the items.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about common items found in a first aid box and their simple uses.
Step 4: Discussing What to Do During an Accident
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Guidance
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks, “What should we do if we fall or get hurt at school or at home?” The teacher guides pupils to understand the most important rule: “Always tell an adult immediately!” The teacher explains why it’s important to stay calm and not touch the wound.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and repeat the phrase “Tell an adult.” They discuss simple scenarios.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the primary action to take during an accident: informing an adult.
Step 5: Role-Play and Song Reinforcement
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Role-play/Singing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a short role-play where a pupil pretends to have a minor accident (e.g., a small trip), and another pupil demonstrates telling the teacher. The teacher then leads the “Safety First Song” with actions to reinforce the message.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the role-play, taking turns to pretend to be hurt and to tell an adult. They sing the “Safety First Song” with actions.
Learning Point: Pupils practise telling an adult and reinforce the lesson through song and movement.
Step 6: Video Observation and Discussion
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Learning/Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the short video about what to do in an emergency. After the video, the teacher asks, “Who did the children tell when someone got hurt?” and “What did the grown-ups do?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video attentively and answer the teacher’s questions, pointing out the adults in the video.
Learning Point: Pupils visually reinforce the concept of seeking adult help during emergencies.
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 4–5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.
- “Point to the first aid box.”
- “Can you name one thing we find inside the first aid box?”
- “What is the most important thing to do if you get hurt?” (Encourage “Tell an adult!”)
- “Show me how you would tell your mummy or daddy if you fell down.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.
Step 8: Conclusion
Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarising/Encouragement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the lesson by reminding pupils that the first aid box helps us with small hurts, but the most important thing is always to tell a grown-up if they get hurt. The teacher praises pupils for their participation.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and repeat the key message, “Tell an adult!”
Learning Point: Pupils reiterate the main safety message of the lesson.
Lesson Keywords
- First Aid: The first help given to someone who is hurt.
- Box: A container where things are kept.
- Accident: Something bad that happens unexpectedly, like falling down.
- Adult: A grown-up person, like your teacher or parent.
- Plaster: A sticky strip to cover small cuts and scrapes.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who need extra help, provide larger pictures of first aid items. Use hand-over-hand guidance during pointing activities. Repeat key phrases like “Tell an adult” multiple times. Pair them with a more confident peer during role-play.
- Extension: For pupils who grasp the concepts quickly, ask them to name another adult they would tell (e.g., uncle, auntie, older sibling). Ask them to identify the first aid box in different pictures or locations in the classroom (if available).
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