Wildfire Prevention Conducting School Programs Guide - National ...

Preschool
What you should know
Studies have shown that reaching children of preschool age with a fire
prevention message is essential in our effort to reduce wildland fires.
Effective wildfire prevention and fire safety education geared toward
preschool children can substantially reduce the number of wildland
fires.
Preschool children are just beginning to be more aware of what goes
on around them and may have some mistaken concepts. Preschoolers
test their concepts in many ways. Dramatic play and talk are ways of
testing what they have seen and heard. Discussing their ideas with
adults is one of the most effective ways in which preschoolers clarify
their concepts. Firsthand experience is helpful and should be included
when talking to preschoolers.
Methods of instruction
You can help these children develop correct concepts of fire
prevention by using the following methods:
• Give simple information. Simple fire prevention materials
should be used and thoroughly explained to the children.
Complicated materials are not understood and should never be
used.
• Let them touch and see. To increase the children's
understanding of the message, include items that allow the
children to use all of their senses.
• Present information a little at a time. Too much information
at once is usually overwhelming and is not absorbed by a
preschool child.
• Answer all questions to the children's satisfaction. If you're
not sure you have done so, ask them. Some children will use
this opportunity to tell a story and it is up to you to steer the
presentation back to answering questions.
6 – Preschool CONDUCTING SCHOOL PROGRAMS –GUIDE