Talking to School Children - Help!!

[beauchoc]

Hi guys,

We are currently working on a Primary School and as such 'we' - and so I have been asked to perform a short talk in assembly to the Children on the Dangers of Construction Sites

Now whilst ordinarily I could talk the hind legs off a donkey - I'm a bit stumped with kids - dont have em wouldnt want em So I'm at a bit of a loss as to where to pitch it - especially with it being primary dont want to frighten the little monkeys

I have previously only done secondary schools based more around their H&S in future work.

So far Im thinking;

I have contacted someone at the HSE I know re: the Digger leaflets and such.
Something to do with signage
Some sort of PPE Explaination using a child to 'model' the gear
Currently Trying to get a copy of 'Game Over'

Please though can anyone give me any ideas?!?!? Or indeed rubbish mine!! Any experiences shared gladly received!!!

[Zman]

You may get some inspiration here;

http://www.ivorgoodsite.org.uk/

[Phil]

Get yourself a yellow hardhat and go in as Bob the builder.

[Alexis]

HSE have this DVD which isn't very expensive with Game Over in it. http://books.hse.gov.uk/hse/public/sale ... 0717662210

[ddlh]

Try here?

http://www.wiseup2work.co.uk/fofr.html

[Keith1983]

When is your talk? I have lots of teahers in the family and could ask for their wisdom on the subject if it might help?

[nige b]

from the kids i know best way to get the message accross is SCARE THE C**P out of them they grow up with violent bloodthirsty games any way so i expect they have all seen worse than we could ever show


In my opinion any way

this user goes n sits back in nawty corner

[Loobylou]

Hi,
I have recently done some safety stuff with my local Badger group (St John Ambulance) 5 to 10 year olds
Rospa have some really good spot the danger worksheets that would be useful and the main thing I found with our lot is sometimes children see things as dangerous that arent and vice versa.

Listen to what they say on the day and get them to think of the solution. They like that (as do most adults)

Another thing is to use the PPE that they may see explain what its used for, in the process dress a child or teacher up placing each item on them as you explain it. This works well because it gives them a visual reminder everything they see someone wearing the PPE. Lots of children will remember more if given a visual stimulation.

The use of Bob the builder is a good idea too, depends on how old the children are.

Show them safety signs that are on the fences and explain what they mean, you can get them to guess first then make sure they understand, then they will all know when looking at those signs that they arent just pretty pictures of shoes and hats and glasses.

Hope that was helpful!!


Loobylou

[Keith1983]

I can see where people are coming from with the PPE and visually Ican understand that it works well, but aren't you doing H&S in general a disservice if you give the impression that the solution is PPE? Wouldn't something that encouraged the kids to think of ways of eliminating or reducing risks be more constructive?

[Polo]

How about think out what your main messages are going to be, then see if the little darling's teachers can help you with the detail. After all if they can link it in with their own requirements for fulfilling criteria in the National Curriculum they should be prepared to give you some clues.
E.g. anything that involved them writing something, dramatising something, working in small groups, artwork, making something ... their teachers should be able to come up with something!!

[jonsi]

I thnk your talk should emphasise how H&S helps people DO things safely rather than H&S STOPS people from doing things because there may be a danger.

Bob the Builder is a good idea but you'd be infringing copyright of a brand that is now sufficiently funded to sue the pants off you!

I'd introduce them to ERIC the H&S man (...remember ERIC? ) and ask the kids of ways they'd take something like a construction site and what they'd establish to make the place work safely (with strong hints thrown in from you) using that hierarchy (Hi Eric Archie ) as a good starting point.

Ask them to think about what they do in school that might not be safe and get them to explain ways to make it safer (crossing the road, running in the playground, climbing frame etc.) and then parallel these to the construction site (watching out for traffic, no-running policies, wah etc)

[beauchoc]

Thank you for all your comments.

It now seems some time ago but I thought I'd let you know how I'd got on!!

In all honesty whilst sat waiting for my 'performance'!! All I could think was - swap me all those kids for the same amount of Construction Guys ANYDAY!! And of course please god do not let any expletives slip out !!!

So as 9.30 arrived I sat on my miniture chair at the front of the hall as they all filed in (whispering and pointing 'who's that?' obviously!!) I dont think I had ever before realised there was such a massive age gap in Primary Schools!! At the front I had what looked to be a selection of children whih looked to be barely out of nappies!! Whilst up the back kids who looked about 30!!

The PPE went down a storm!! It was a brilliant and fun way of very basically conveying that if workers on Construction Sites have to wear all this protective equipment then it obviously isnt a safe place to be!! The signs were also very effective.

But if I have one piece of advice - questions are the future!! They loved it - hands shot up left right and centre for everything I asked!! And yes we may have a certian 'Bob' to thank for an advanced knowledge of site equipment!!! I nearly fell over backwards when I received 'Architect' as a response to 'who may work on a construction site' I didnt push the lack of validity of the comment

Whilst I appreciate some comments from you - I didnt really fancy explaining the Hierarchy of controls to 350 kids- one of which had forgotten to put on one of his plimsolls!! Had it have been a more targetted approach then it would have been a great angle to go from with the older kids but dont think it wouldve suited the overall scenario!! After all I was hardly advocating they all go out and get their own PPE - just to stay away from sites whilst opening the doors of communication for kids to ask questions and get information about site without the need to come and have a look for themselves!! - which ultimately I believe fulfils the message I was asked to deliver!!

Overall it was a great experience and I really enjoyed it - personally Ive taken loads from it - bring on the next one!!!