Submitted by Participants at LIFT OFF Schools' Forum, March 08
Overall Learning Intention is to be able to recognise different types of danger and to be able to seek assistance when in danger.
Curriculum links
Curriculum Area Learning Intention
The World Around Us/ To know the danger of electricity
SESE To use tools correctly
To understand the role of emergency services
To understand road safety
PDMU/ SPHE To have self respect
To become more assertive
Arts Education To undertake roleplay e.g. smoking
To explore children’s perception of danger
Language & Literacy To understand the moral of stories
ICT To understand how to use the internet safely
Mathematics To carry out traffic surveys
Sample Activities
Right Start age range (4 – 7 years old)
1. Circle time activities: Problem solvers such as ‘Why not be sad, bossy…’ etc
2. Auntie Annie ( See ‘Right Start’ page 88);
3. Discuss safety in the classroom
4. ‘Little Pathways’ (a guide to emotional literacy from the Churches’ Peace Education Programme)
5. ‘Suggestion’ box or ‘Help me’ box
6. Using stories from big books which highlight incidences of danger.
7. Drama- role play the lollipop man, people in the school/community who help us, children
8. Stories about what to do if in a dangerous situation- finding solutions, way out
9. Older children mentoring & monitoring the younger ones- taking responsibility
Lift Off age range (7 – 9 years old)
1. Design a poster/ booklet/ powerpoint presentation for younger classes or the whole school on Stranger Danger.
2. Discuss the issues and either develop or select and dramatise a play touching on the topics
3. Produce a video on ‘danger’, including writing a script for a play.
Me, You, Everyone age range (9 – 11 years old)
1. Get pupils to work towards the cylcling proficiency exam
2. Bring in agencies to talk to the children about various types of dangers they might face e.g.:
Breakthru (A cross-community drug and alcohol organisation www.breakthru.co.uk)
PSNI/ Gardaí
Divert Project
School Nurse
Love for Life (A programme that supports young people and their carers in the area of relationships and sexuality education www.loveforlife.org.uk )
Kidscape (Kidscape has been established specifically to prevent bullying and child sexual abuse. Kidscape believes that protecting children from harm is key. www.kidscape.org.uk )
3. Using stories (myths/ legends/ fables/ fairytales) to highlight incidences of danger.
Audit behaviour in playground- children can observe infringements on rights and how problems were solved.
4. Roleplays and writing plays around danger: Role play scenarios where there are bullies, adults/person of authority, drug dealers etc. and children can then perform a drama.
5. Setting up structures in the school where the children’s voice can be heard e.g. school council.
