When it comes to sun safety, not all of us are the best role models for our children. However, especially during early childhood it is important that we consider becoming role models when it comes to sun safety during the summer months and even into fall and winter. Our children pick up on our actions, whether we realize it or not so it is important that we remember that when we try to teach them about being smart with UV rays. Children are more susceptible to the UV rays and the heat compared to adults so it is key to teach them young while they absorb the information about how to safely engage during the summer months. That doesn’t mean that sun safety can’t be fun.
Let’s start with some facts that we all could use a refresher on. While the sun provides light and heat to the earth it is important to remember that too much exposure can cause sunburns which lead to skin cancer. While we need sunlight for vitamin D, it is not the only place that we can find Vitamin D. Rather is good in minimal exposure, especially for children as we only need about 10-15 minutes of sun exposure for a good amount of Vitamin D. While you can remember to put on sunscreen so you don’t need to limit their outdoor fun you can also do some fun games to get the children excited about sun screen and enjoying the sunlight in bursts.
Decorate their own hats
Children love creating. It is in their nature that they will do everything to create something new from a story to houses out of bricks. Take advantage of their love of creating and allow them to create their own hats. They can decorate them how they want then they have the opportunity to wear them as a fashion statement.
What’s missing?
This is a good way to get the children to learn about what items help promote sun safety during those hot days. Take things that are considered to be sun safety items such as sunscreen, hats and sunglasses. You want to discuss these with the children before you end up playing this game because they need to understand why each item is there. Then have the kids shut their eyes and remove items one at a time and see if they know what is missing. This will help them know as they get older what will help protect them from the UV rays from the sun.
Shade games
These games can be unlimited to your imagination and the kids. You can do a Simon says version where they put certain body parts in the shade on instruction. It can turn into musical shade where when the music plays they run but need to find shade at the music stops. Also play a game where certain children need to stand in the shadows of their classmates as stated in the NAEYC file on sun safety. Make sure that you discuss the importance of balancing sun exposure and shade before and after you play the games. It will help them understand balancing the sunlight.
Turning sun safety into a game for your little one during early childhood is a good way to help reflect positive behaviors into their daily summer
routine. Remember however, these will only work if you do the same actions as your child, they absorb what they see, so keep that in mind and your child will have sun safety in the bag.
