Every early childhood service will have a Sun Protection Policy to keep the children safe from the sun's UV rays. You might have seen the staff at work checking to see what the UV levels are during the day to decide whether or not the children have to put sunscreen on. This might be a job you do one day.
UV radiation from the sun can cause sunburn and skin cancer.
Children from 0-4 have thinner skin and lower levels of a substance called melanin which helps protect you from sunburn. Plus the more UV damage you get when you are a child, the higher your risk of getting skin cancer when you are an adult. So it is really important to protect children.
Sun protection must be used for all outdoor activities during times when the UV levels are forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology (weather office) are going to be Level 3 or higher.
These are the sun protection measures - you can remember them by remembering: SLIP, SLOP, SLAP, SEEK and SLIDE.
Slip on sun protective clothing that covers as much of your body as possible.
Slop on SPF 30 or higher broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen, at least 20 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply every two hours when outdoors or more often if perspiring or swimming.
Slap on a broad-brimmed hat that shades your face, neck and ears.
Seek shade.
Slide on sunglasses.
Watch this video with Sid the Seagull that goes through the Sun Protection measures.
It is important to teach the children about the importance of sun protection as part of their learning. You could teach the children the Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide song or read a book to them about sun protection. If you set up a beach play area, you could make sure there was shade from an umbrella and sunscreen in the play area.
TASK: At child care, the children probably don't wear sunglasses but they do a lot of other things to keep them safe from the sun's UV rays. Can you write down 5 things that happen at child care to protect the children.
RESEARCH TASK:Go to the SunSmart website through the link below and read through/watch the early childhood resources. With your coach, plan a learning experience for the children that would help them to learn more about being sun safe.
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