First aid skills are necessary for children since they are constantly at the risk of getting hurt while playing. In the absence of a health care provider, their knowledge of these skills becomes beneficial in helping themselves and their friends. Children are capable of learning and absorbing information quicker than adults. In most cases, they can even analyse the gravity of a situation and do what is required of them.
Ways to Teach First Aid Skills to Children:
There is a fine way of teaching first aid skills without terrifying them or giving them nightmares. The knowledge should empower them, make them competent and augment their compassion. Here are some tips on how to teach children about basic first aid:
Everyday examples
Right from when they are toddlers, give your children step-by-step verbal descriptions while you are treating their wounds. It could be a simple scrape, nosebleed or a small bump on the head, but your child will remember the teaching moment and execute the same when the need arises. Remember to stay composed so that he or she too will learn to respond calmly and not panic.
Play doctor
Use playtime to teach your child about first aid. While playing doctor, you can tell them about the various medical emergencies and how to deal with them, without losing out on the fun factor. Children learn fast while they are relaxed and having fun. Use the opportunity to teach them how to tie a bandage around a wound or how to use ice packs.
DIY First-Aid Kit
Although there is an option of buying a first-aid kit, making one with your child helps them understand its content more. While assembling the essentials, teach your child about how and when to use each one of them. He or should also be aware of where the kit is so that it can be reached even in your absence.
Keep it light
Ensure that imparting first aid skills does not terrify them. Introduce medical emergencies as possibilities and not as mandatory occurrences. Having knowledge of first aid skills should empower them as individuals who are capable of dealing with the situation calmly instead of panicking under stress.
A kid is still a kid
The knowledge of medical help can be useful not just for them, but also for people around them. At the same time, children should realise that their first priority is to stay safe. For instance, tell them that they are not expected to jump into deep water to save someone else by putting their life at risk. Often, the best thing they can do is to summon adult help as quickly as possible.
First aid skills at school
Educating children about first aid has become a necessity today. At Winmore Academy, one of the top ten CBSE schools in India, first aid training is done in an organised way as part of our curriculum. Students are taught the basics of first aid and activities like making first-aid boxes are carried out in the supervision of our teachers. We ensure that our students are well-equipped in handling medical emergencies. Safety is synonymous with awareness and mental preparedness.