Proper Use of Medicines and Other Hazardous Products

Curriculum Expectations

6.4, 10.3

See the Kindergarten Program 2016 for details on the specific expectations.

Activity Learning Goals

By the end of the activity children will be able to:

• discuss what action to take when they feel unsafe or uncomfortable, and when and how to seek assistance
• write simple message

Equipment

• Magazine cut-outs of household products (harmless and harmful)
• Paper
• Crayons
• Early Learning Anecdotal Recording Chart

Safety

EL-K Team observation of children’s demonstrated application of active participation, spatial awareness and large muscle control can be recorded on the Anecdotal Recording Chart

Assessment Opportunity

EL-K Team observation of children’s demonstrated knowledge of when and how to seek assistance when they feel unsafe, and demonstrated use of functional grip can be recorded on the Anecdotal Recording Chart.

Harmful Medicines

• Children identify different types of medicines and what they are for (e.g., epinephrine auto-injector for peanut allergy). Discuss when medicines may be harmful (e.g., prescribed for someone else, not the correct amount, medicine is not in its original container, taken for too short or too long a time period, is out of date, allergic reaction).
• Review medication rules for children (e.g., take from adult, take only the amount doctor or grown-up says; don’t share your medicine; don’t take someone else’s medicine; tell someone if you don’t feel well after taking a medicine).
• Discuss hazardous products and why they are dangerous. Show children a large variety of pictures of household products. Have them determine which products are safe and which products are harmful. Children draw pictures of products found in the home that could be harmful.

Notes to EL-K Team

• Link to home safety by sending home information on making the home safe from hazardous products.
• Have a discussion on the following topic: Many children bring medicines from home that they take during the school day. Often times the children drop or lose these medicines on the playground or in the school. These medicines in the form of pills look a lot like candy. What should you do if you see something that looks like a candy on the grass of the playground or on a table in the classroom?

Connection Questions to Expand and Enhance Play

• Why is it important to only take medicine from an adult?
• Where can hazardous products be stored in your house?
• What should you do if someone in your family eats or drinks a harmful household product?