Unit Two Creating a Safe and Healthful Environment 208 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. • Climb the ladder to go up the slide. Do not walk up the slide from the bottom. • Wear a bicycle helmet when riding bikes, but not when playing on playground equipment. • Wash your hands after playing with dough or at the water table. Remind children about the limits. Otherwise, they may forget or ignore them. For example, Eino may walk in front of moving swings. When this happens, say, “Eino, walk around the swings, not in front of them.” Usually, this reminder will redirect a child. If Eino still fails to comply, you may have to say, “Eino, you need to stay away from moving swings.” Do not allow anyone to continue swinging until Eino moves a safe distance away from the swings. Teach children to wipe up spills promptly. Always keep paper towels within the children’s reach. When children forget to wipe up a spill, remind them. Likewise, it is important to praise children who remember. Say, “Gerald, thank you for wiping up that spill. Now no one will slip and fall.” Praise will encourage all the children to remember the limits. In time, you may hear the children remind each other of the limits. Provide a Safe Environment Closely observing children and setting safety rules for them to obey helps create a safe center. This is only part of the process. You must also keep watch for hazardous situations. Toys, equipment, electrical appliances, hot water, and cleaning supplies can pose danger to children. Center vehicles and the building itself can also be hazardous to children. Toys and Materials A teacher’s fi rst job regarding toy safety is to choose items wisely. Picking safe toys and materials greatly reduces the risk of serious injury. Selection is just the start, however. As a teacher, you must supervise children using the toys. Children often use toys in ways for which they were not designed. While most times this play is harmless, sometimes you must step in for safety reasons. For instance, a wooden mallet for use with a pegboard might be dangerous if children use it to hit each other. A metal toy car can be used safely for driving on the fl oor. This same car poses a safety risk if thrown, however. You must teach children about safe toy use and repeat safety limits often. Be fi rm but pleasant when enforcing the limits. Remember, a toy can be safe for one child, but dangerous for another. Accidents can occur when children use toys that are too advanced for them. For instance, fi ve-year-old children love to play with large marbles. These same marbles are a choking hazard for younger children. Check toys frequently for safety. To illustrate, check the seams of cloth infant toys for tearing and weak threads. If the toy lacks durability, remove it from the classroom. Depending on the condition and value, it can either be repaired or discarded. Toys should also be examined for sharp or splintered edges. Observe to see if any small pieces have broken off or splintered. If a toy needs repairs, immediately remove it from the classroom. As a teacher, you must also stay informed about changes in safety standards. When new standards are issued, check current toys to be sure they conform. Discard items that do not meet the new standards. Playground Equipment Staff members have several duties when it comes to playground safety. First, they must be sure to plan the play yard with safety in mind. For example, proper surfacing is a key safety concern (Figure 11.3). Workplace Connections Workplace Connections Survey the areas in the center that children ac- cess and then document any possible hazards they could encounter. This may include slippery walkways, loose flooring materials, inappropriate equipment, poisonous landscape plants, and weed treatments. 1. What changes could be made to make the areas safe or reduce the hazards? 2. Would child care centers not associated with a high school program be subject to the same types of hazards?