Not many four-year-olds could say they have the ability to save your life but a former nursery nurse looks set to change that with her first aid courses for children.
Jo Murray has been teaching first aid to nursery workers in Cambridgeshire since 2002 and, last year, created sessions specifically designed for children from the age of three. The 'First Aid is Fun' nursery sessions involve between 10 and 18 children and usually last an hour and a half, with each child awarded a certificate at the end.
'It came to me while I was ironing,' says Jo. 'And at first I dismissed it, but in the end I wrote a lesson plan because the idea kept coming back. I really like working with kids - it's where I started - and I knew I could have a rapport with them.'
The sessions cover calling 999, putting an adult in the recovery position, dealing with cuts and bleeding, and choking. As Jo stresses, 'I'm not making up child-orientated first-aid games; these are genuine, authentic first-aid skills. This could save lives and that's the bottom line.'
The capacity for young children to master techniques as well as memorise information is evident in the sessions. Jo points out that, 'Often children are taught to dial 999, but that is all. They aren't prepared for the voice on the other end. I tell them that the person who answers doesn't know whether you want an ambulance or policeman or whatever.'
According to Jo, keeping the instructions basic and using repetition is the key to helping children remember the information. Visual props, like a drawing of an ambulance, make the sessions fun as well as memorable. 'The nurseries say that the children are still talking about it weeks later and can still do the recovery position,' she says.
Bandaged up
Silks Farm Nursery in Somersham, Cambridgeshire, held two child first-aid sessions earlier this year. Director Nigel Swaby acted as the recovery position 'guinea pig'. 'I was amazed by how the children picked it up,' he says. 'We decided to do it because we thought it would be really useful and the course complemented the early learning goals in the Foundation Stage, though I was somewhat sceptical before I sat in on a session.
'The physical things were quite easy for children to grasp, such as learning to bandage properly by twisting it tight enough and securing the end. Jo works by explaining what to do first, then demonstrating the technique and, finally, making sure the children each have a go. Being part of the process really helped them grasp it and also made the session fun.
When each child did the separate moves to put someone in the recovery position the rest were all cheering them on.'
Teaching the children about choking is an important part of the sessions because this relates to their personal safety. Jo explains the process of breathing air in and out slowly. 'Then I say that if the air didn't go into your body you wouldn't work and show them a potential blockage by holding a piece of Lego on my throat,' says Jo. 'They can see and understand - you can see the look of realisation on their faces. But then I make them tell me why to make sure they understand.'
Jo acknowledges that this is one of the most intense moments of the session. 'One of my big concerns was ensuring that no-one was getting frightened. I think because I know how to work with children I know how not to be scary. I come in with a teddy bear and talk to the children beforehand so they trust me.'
The teddy bear also provides some comic relief during the session. After explaining elevation and compression, Jo begins the demonstration by bandaging the bear's arm but not securing the end of the bandage. She then introduces the bear as a dancing champion and the bear dances a few moves.
As the bandage falls off the children laugh and this helps them remember to fasten the bandage after wrapping it around. Practising the method on each other then cements the idea for them.
Nigel says, 'You could see it on the children's faces, they were thinking "I've really accomplished something and I'm proud of myself".'
Further information
* For further information on the 'First Aid is Fun' sessions, e-mail Jo Murray at firstaidisfun@aol.com
