Computer Science: Personal Health and Safety – Grade K

The internet is like a giant playground where millions of people from all over the world come to play, learn, and talk to each other. 🌍 But just like any playground, there can be some people who don't follow the rules or who might want to hurt others. That's why it's so important to learn about internet safety!

Internet risks are like hidden dangers that you can't always see right away. Imagine you're playing in a park and someone you don't know comes up to you and asks for your home address or phone number. That would feel scary, right? The same thing can happen on the internet! 😟

Some people online might pretend to be someone they're not. They might say they're a kid just like you, but they could actually be a grown-up who wants to trick you. This is called "stranger danger" online, and it's just as important as stranger danger in the real world.

Talking to Strangers: When you're online, you might see messages from people you don't know. These people are called "strangers," and just like in real life, you shouldn't talk to strangers online. They might ask you questions about yourself or try to become your friend, but remember – you don't know who they really are! 👥

Inappropriate Content: Sometimes when you're looking at websites or videos, you might see pictures or hear words that aren't meant for kids. This is called "inappropriate content." If you ever see something that makes you feel uncomfortable, scared, or confused, you should tell a grown-up right away. 📱

Sharing Too Much Information: Some websites might ask you to fill out forms with your name, address, phone number, or other personal information. This is like giving your house key to a stranger – it's not safe! 🗝️

Your feelings are like a special alarm system that helps protect you! If something online makes you feel:

• Scared or worried 😨
• Confused or uncomfortable 😕
• Like you need to keep it a secret 🤐
• Pressured to do something you don't want to do 😰

Then you should stop what you're doing and tell a trusted grown-up right away. Remember, it's always better to be safe than sorry!

Just like how we wear helmets when we ride bikes to protect our heads, we need to be careful online to protect ourselves and our information. The internet never forgets – once something is shared online, it can stay there forever! That's why it's so important to think before you click, type, or share anything. 🚴‍♀️

Remember, the goal isn't to be scared of the internet – it's to be smart about how we use it. When we know about the risks and how to avoid them, we can have fun and learn amazing things online while staying safe!

Did you know that grown-ups have superpowers? 🦸‍♀️ Well, maybe not flying or invisibility, but they do have something very special – experience and wisdom! That's why it's so important to ask a grown-up before you use any device that connects to the internet. Let's learn why this rule exists and how it helps keep you safe!

Think of grown-ups as your personal safety guides for the digital world. Just like how you ask a grown-up before you cross a busy street, you should ask before you go online. Here's why this is so important:

Adults Have Experience: Grown-ups have been using the internet for many years. They know which websites are safe and which ones to avoid. They're like experienced tour guides who know all the best places to visit and all the places to stay away from! 🗺️

Adults Can Help You Make Good Choices: Sometimes online, you might see pop-ups, advertisements, or links that look fun and exciting. But grown-ups can help you figure out if clicking on them is a good idea or not. They're like your personal decision-making helpers! 🤔

Adults Know How to Handle Problems: If something goes wrong online – like if you accidentally click on something you shouldn't have, or if someone sends you a message that makes you uncomfortable – grown-ups know exactly what to do to fix the problem and keep you safe. 🛠️

Not all online interactions are the same. Let's learn the difference between safe and unsafe interactions:

Safe Online Interactions might include:

• Watching educational videos that your teacher has chosen 📺
• Playing games on websites that your parents have approved 🎮
• Video calling with grandparents or other family members 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
• Looking at pictures of animals or nature on kid-friendly websites 🐾

Unsafe Online Interactions might include:

• Chatting with strangers in game chat rooms 💬
• Clicking on pop-up ads that promise free toys or prizes 🎁
• Sharing personal information with people you don't know 📋
• Visiting websites that your parents haven't checked first 🌐

Asking for permission is easy! Here's how to do it:

1. Go to a trusted grown-up like your mom, dad, teacher, or guardian
2. Tell them what you want to do online – be specific! For example: "I want to play a math game on the computer" or "I want to watch a video about dinosaurs"
3. Wait for their answer – don't just start using the device while they're thinking about it
4. Follow their rules – if they say yes but give you some rules to follow, make sure you follow them!

Sometimes grown-ups might say no to your request, and that's okay! Remember, they're not trying to be mean – they're trying to keep you safe. If a grown-up says no, you can:

• Ask them to explain why (this helps you learn!)
• Ask if there's a different activity you can do instead
• Ask if you can try again later
• Thank them for keeping you safe 💙

When you always ask for permission before going online, you're showing grown-ups that you're responsible and trustworthy. This means they'll be more likely to say yes to your requests in the future! It's like earning "trust points" that you can use later. 🏆

Remember, asking for permission isn't just a rule – it's a way to show that you care about your safety and that you respect the grown-ups who love you. Plus, when you ask for permission, you often get to share fun online experiences with the adults in your life, which makes everything more enjoyable!

Passwords are like magical keys that protect your special treasures! 🗝️✨ Just like how you might have a special box where you keep your favorite toys, passwords help protect your digital treasures – like your games, your photos, and your personal information. Let's learn all about these super-important digital keys!

A password is a secret combination of letters, numbers, and sometimes symbols that acts like a key to unlock your accounts. Think of it like the combination to a treasure chest – only people who know the right combination can open it! 🏴‍☠️

Passwords help protect things like:

• Your games and the progress you've made in them 🎮
• Your photos and videos 📸
• Your messages and emails 💌
• Your personal information and settings ⚙️

Imagine if your house didn't have locks on the doors. Anyone could just walk in and take your toys, look through your things, or even mess up your room! That would be pretty scary, right? Passwords work just like locks for your digital "house." 🏠

Without passwords:

• Strangers could pretend to be you online 😱
• People could delete your favorite games or photos 😭
• Someone could send mean messages using your name 📱
• Your personal information could be stolen 🚨

This is super important: passwords should ONLY be shared with your parents or guardians. Not with friends, not with other kids, not with teachers (unless your parents say it's okay), and definitely not with strangers! 🚫

Think of your password like your toothbrush – it's something very personal that only you and your family should use. You wouldn't share your toothbrush with a stranger, right? The same goes for passwords! 🦷

People who CAN know your password:

• Your mom or dad 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
• Your guardians or the grown-ups who take care of you 👵👴
• Sometimes other trusted family members that your parents say are okay 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

People who should NOT know your password:

• Friends at school 👫
• Other kids, even if they're nice 👶
• People you meet online 💻
• Strangers anywhere 🚫

Passwords are like secret handshakes between you and the computer. When you type in the right password, the computer says, "Oh, it's really you! Come on in!" But if someone types in the wrong password, the computer says, "I don't recognize you. Stay out!" 🤖

Some passwords are made up of:

• Letters (like your name or favorite animal) 🐱
• Numbers (like your age or favorite number) 🔢
• Symbols (like stars ⭐ or hearts ❤️)

Just like how you might have different keys for different locks (one for your bike, one for your locker, one for your house), different websites and apps often have different passwords. This is actually a good thing! If someone figures out one password, they can't get into all your other accounts. 🔐

Your parents might help you keep track of all these different passwords, kind of like how they keep track of all the different keys in your house!

If anyone other than your parents or guardians asks for your password, here's what you should do:

1. Say NO – it's okay to say no to anyone who asks for your password! 🛑
2. Don't feel bad – you're not being mean, you're being safe! 😊
3. Tell a trusted grown-up – let your parents know that someone asked for your password 📞
4. Remember the rule – passwords are only for you and your parents/guardians 📝

Here are some ways to keep your passwords super safe:

• Never write them down where other people can see them 📄
• Don't say them out loud where other people can hear 🤫
• Always log out when you're done using a device 💻
• Tell your parents right away if you think someone might know your password 🆘

Remember, protecting your password is like being a security guard for your own digital castle! You're the hero of your own online safety story! 🏰🦸‍♀️

Your personal information is like your most precious treasure! 💎 Just like how you keep your favorite toy in a special safe place, you need to keep your personal information safe and private. Let's learn what information should stay secret and why it's so important to protect it!

Personal information is special details about you that make you unique. It's like your personal ID card that tells people who you are and where you live. Here are some examples of personal information:

Your Full Name: While it's okay for friends and family to know your name, sharing your full name with strangers online can be dangerous. It's like giving someone the first clue in a treasure hunt to find you! 🏃‍♀️

Your Address: Your home address is super private! This tells people exactly where you live. You should never, ever share this with anyone online. It's like giving someone directions to your house when you don't even know who they are! 🏠

Your Phone Number: Your phone number is like a direct line to you and your family. Only trusted grown-ups should have this information. Sharing it with strangers could mean getting calls from people you don't know! 📞

Your School Name: The name of your school is also private information. If strangers know where you go to school, they might try to find you there. Your school is your safe learning place, and we want to keep it that way! 🏫

Photos of You: Pictures of yourself are also personal information! They show what you look like and sometimes include clues about where you live or go to school. Always ask a grown-up before sharing photos online. 📸

Keeping your information private is like having a superpower that protects you! Here's why it's so important:

Stranger Safety: When strangers know too much about you, they might try to find you in real life. This could be very dangerous! By keeping your information private, you're like a superhero with an invisible shield. 🛡️

Identity Protection: Your personal information makes you unique, like your fingerprint. If someone else gets this information, they might try to pretend to be you online. This is called "identity theft," and it's like someone wearing a costume of you! 🎭

Family Safety: When you keep your information private, you're not just protecting yourself – you're also protecting your whole family! Your information can give clues about your parents, siblings, and where they work or go to school. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Let's learn the difference between information that's okay to share and information that should stay private:

Information That's Usually Okay to Share (with permission from grown-ups):

• Your first name (but not your last name) 👋
• Your age 🎂
• Your favorite color or animal 🌈🐶
• What grade you're in (but not what school) 📚
• Your hobbies or interests 🎨

Information That Should ALWAYS Stay Private:

• Your full name (first and last name together) 📝
• Your address or where you live 🏠
• Your phone number 📞
• Your school name 🏫
• Your parents' names or where they work 👨‍💼👩‍💼
• Your schedule (when you're home alone, when you go places) ⏰
• Photos of yourself or your family 📷

This is really important: you should only share your private information with people your parents or guardians say are okay. These people are usually:

Family Members: Your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other family members that your parents trust. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Trusted Adults: Teachers, doctors, or other grown-ups that your parents know and trust. But remember, even with these people, you should check with your parents first! 👩‍🏫

Emergency Helpers: Police officers, firefighters, or paramedics – but only in real emergencies when your parents tell you to or when you need help right away. 🚨

Sometimes people might ask you for your personal information. Here's what you should do:

1. Stop and Think: Ask yourself, "Is this person someone my parents said I can share information with?" 🤔
2. Say No: If you're not sure, it's always better to say no. You can say, "I'm not allowed to share that information." 🚫
3. Tell a Grown-Up: Let your parents or guardians know that someone asked for your information. They can help you decide if it was okay or not. 📞
4. Don't Feel Bad: You're not being rude by protecting your information – you're being smart and safe! 😊

Sometimes when you're online, you might see forms that ask you to fill in information about yourself. These might look like:

• Sign-up forms for games or websites 🎮
• Contest entries 🏆
• Surveys or questionnaires 📊

Remember the golden rule: Never fill out these forms without asking a grown-up first! Even if the website looks fun and safe, you should always check with your parents or guardians before giving any information online.

Saying "no" when someone asks for your personal information is like having a superpower! It might feel scary at first, but it's one of the most important skills you can learn. Remember:

• It's okay to say no to anyone who asks for your personal information 💪
• You don't have to give a reason why you're saying no 🤐
• Grown-ups who care about you will understand and be proud of you for being safe 🏆
• If someone gets upset when you say no, that's a red flag that they might not be a safe person 🚩

Remember, your personal information is like your most valuable treasure. By keeping it safe and private, you're protecting yourself and your family. You're being a safety superhero! 🦸‍♀️✨

Did you know that your five senses are like amazing detectors that help you understand the world around you? 👁️👂👃👅✋ Your eyes see colors and shapes, your ears hear sounds, your nose smells scents, your tongue tastes flavors, and your skin feels textures. When we use technology, it affects these special detectors in different ways. Let's explore how technology impacts each of your senses!

The Amazing Things Technology Does for Your Eyes: Technology can show you incredible things! You can see pictures of animals from around the world, watch videos of how plants grow, or even take virtual trips to space! 🚀 Computers and tablets can make learning more colorful and exciting. Some technology even helps people who can't see very well by making text bigger or reading words out loud.

Things to Watch Out For: But sometimes, looking at screens for too long can make your eyes feel tired, dry, or itchy. This is like how your legs might feel tired after running around the playground for a really long time! When you look at screens, you don't blink as often as you normally do, which can make your eyes feel dry. 😵‍💫

The bright light from screens can also be very strong, especially in dark rooms. It's like shining a flashlight directly in your eyes – not very comfortable! Some people might even get headaches if they look at screens for too long.

How to Keep Your Eyes Happy:

• Take breaks every 20 minutes to look at something far away (like looking out a window) 🪟
• Make sure the room isn't too dark when you're using a screen
• Sit far enough away from the screen (about an arm's length)
• Blink extra often to keep your eyes moist 💧
• Tell a grown-up if your eyes feel tired or hurt

The Wonderful Sounds Technology Brings: Technology can fill your ears with amazing sounds! You can listen to your favorite songs, hear the voices of family members who live far away, or enjoy the sound effects in educational games. Some technology helps people who can't hear well by making sounds louder or showing words on the screen instead of just sounds. 🎵

Things to Be Careful About: Sometimes technology can be too loud for your ears. Very loud sounds can actually hurt your ears and damage your hearing. This is especially true when you're wearing headphones or earbuds. It's like how you might cover your ears when a fire truck goes by with its loud siren! 🚨

If you listen to very loud sounds for too long, it can make your ears ring (like a bell going "ding ding ding" in your ears) or even cause permanent damage to your hearing.

How to Keep Your Ears Safe:

• Keep the volume at a comfortable level (you should still be able to hear people talking to you) 🔊
• Take breaks from wearing headphones or earbuds
• If something sounds too loud, turn it down or take the headphones off
• Tell a grown-up if your ears hurt or feel funny after using technology

The Cool Ways Technology Feels: Technology gives your hands and fingers new things to explore! Touch screens respond to your finger touches, keyboards have buttons that click, and game controllers have different textures and buttons. Some technology even vibrates or gives you different feelings when you touch it! This can make using technology feel like playing with a really cool toy. 🎮

Things Your Hands Might Notice: Sometimes after using technology for a while, your hands or fingers might feel stiff or sore. This is like how your hands might feel after coloring for a really long time! Holding devices or typing can use small muscles in your hands that need breaks too.

Also, when you spend a lot of time touching smooth screens and plastic devices, your hands might start to miss touching natural things like grass, sand, or your pet's fur. 🐕

How to Keep Your Hands Happy:

• Take breaks to stretch your fingers and hands 🤲
• Hold devices in different positions so your hands don't get stuck in one spot
• Make sure to touch lots of different textures throughout the day (like play-doh, building blocks, or natural objects)
• Ask a grown-up to help you adjust the height of your device so your hands feel comfortable

Technology doesn't usually directly affect your nose and mouth, but it can influence them in interesting ways! When you're really focused on a screen, you might not notice smells around you as much. And sometimes people eat snacks while using technology without really tasting them because they're so focused on the screen! 🍿

Keeping All Your Senses Active:

• Take breaks to smell flowers, your favorite foods, or other pleasant scents 🌸
• When you eat, try to focus on the taste instead of looking at a screen at the same time
• Use your nose and mouth to explore the world around you, not just your eyes and ears!

One of the most amazing things about technology is that it can help people whose senses work differently. For example:

• People who can't see well can use computers that read text out loud 🔊
• People who can't hear well can use devices that turn sounds into vibrations or show words on screens 📳
• People who have trouble using their hands can use special devices that respond to eye movements or voice commands 👁️

This shows us that technology can be a wonderful tool when used thoughtfully and carefully!

The key to using technology healthily is balance! Think of it like this: ice cream tastes amazing, but if you ate ice cream for every meal, you'd probably feel pretty sick! The same goes for technology – it's wonderful and helpful, but we need to balance it with other activities that use all our senses.

Try to spend time each day:

• Looking at things far away (like clouds or trees) to rest your eyes 🌳
• Listening to natural sounds (like birds singing or wind blowing) to rest your ears 🐦
• Touching different textures (like fabric, wood, or water) to keep your hands happy 🌊
• Smelling and tasting different things to keep those senses active 🍓

Remember, technology is a tool that should make your life better and more fun, not make your body feel uncomfortable or tired. When you take good care of your senses, you can enjoy technology even more!

Your body is like an amazing machine that needs different types of fuel to work its best! 🚗⛽ Just like a car needs gasoline to run, your body needs physical activity to stay strong and healthy. And just like a car needs to be parked sometimes, your body needs rest too. Let's learn how to create the perfect balance between screen time and physical activity so you can feel great every day!

Your Body Is Growing Every Day: As a kindergarten student, your body is growing bigger and stronger every single day! Your bones are getting longer, your muscles are getting stronger, and your brain is learning new things. Physical activity is like special food for your growing body – it helps everything work better! 🌱

Physical Activity Helps Your:

• Muscles get stronger so you can run, jump, and play 💪
• Bones grow healthy and strong like a sturdy tree trunk 🌳
• Heart pump better to send blood all around your body ❤️
• Brain think clearer and learn new things faster 🧠
• Sleep better at night so you wake up feeling refreshed 😴
• Mood stay happy by releasing special "feel-good" chemicals in your body 😊

When we sit and look at screens for too long, our bodies start to feel sleepy and sluggish. It's like when a bicycle sits in the garage for too long – it might get rusty and not work as well! Here's what can happen:

Your Body Might Feel:

• Stiff and achy, especially in your back and neck 😣
• Tired and low-energy, even though you weren't doing much 😴
• Restless and wiggly because your muscles want to move 🤸
• Weak because your muscles aren't being used 💤

Your Mind Might Feel:

• Foggy and hard to concentrate 🌫️
• Cranky or frustrated more easily 😤
• Bored, even when doing fun activities 😑
• Hyperactive when you finally do get to move 🤯

Just like how you have a bedtime to make sure you get enough sleep, there are guidelines for how much screen time is healthy for kids your age. Most experts say that kindergarten students should have:

On School Days:

• About 30-60 minutes of educational screen time (like learning games or videos) 📚
• Maybe 30 minutes of fun screen time (like watching a favorite show) 📺
• Lots of time for playing, moving, and doing other activities! 🎨

On Weekends:

• A bit more screen time is okay, but still balanced with lots of physical activity 🏖️
• Family screen time (like watching a movie together) can be special and fun! 🍿

Remember: These are just guidelines! Every family is different, and your parents will decide what's best for you. The most important thing is that screen time doesn't take away from other important activities like playing, sleeping, eating, or spending time with family. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Indoor Activities (great for rainy days):

• Dance to your favorite music 💃
• Do jumping jacks, march in place, or do yoga stretches 🧘‍♀️
• Play with building blocks, puzzles, or art supplies 🧩
• Help with household chores like folding laundry or organizing toys 🧹
• Play hide-and-seek or other active games with family 🙈

Outdoor Activities (when the weather is nice):

• Ride your bike, scooter, or walk around the neighborhood 🚲
• Play at the playground – swings, slides, and climbing structures 🛝
• Run around in the yard or park 🏃‍♀️
• Play with balls – throw, catch, kick, or bounce 🏀
• Explore nature – collect leaves, watch bugs, or look for birds 🐛

Creative Activities:

• Draw, paint, or color with crayons and markers 🖍️
• Play with play-doh, clay, or other hands-on materials 🎨
• Build with blocks, legos, or other construction toys 🏗️
• Play pretend games – be a doctor, teacher, or superhero 🦸‍♀️
• Read books or tell stories 📖

Sometimes you can combine screen time with physical activity! This is like getting the best of both worlds:

Active Screen Time:

• Dance videos or movement songs 🎵
• Yoga or exercise videos for kids 🧘‍♀️
• Active video games that require you to move your body 🎮
• Following along with action songs or movement videos 🎤
• Virtual field trips where you walk around and explore 🚶‍♀️

Your Body Gives You Clues:

• Your eyes feel tired, dry, or itchy 😵‍💫
• Your back, neck, or shoulders feel stiff 😣
• You feel restless and want to move around 🤸
• You're having trouble paying attention to the screen 🤔
• You feel cranky or frustrated 😤

Your Mind Gives You Clues:

• You feel bored, even though you're doing something fun 😑
• You're having trouble focusing on anything 🌫️
• You feel hyper or have lots of energy built up 🤯
• You're not enjoying the screen activity as much as usual 😐

A great daily routine might look like this:

Morning:

• Wake up and get dressed (no screens yet!) 🌅
• Eat breakfast with family 🥞
• Maybe some educational screen time while grown-ups get ready 📱
• Play outside or do a physical activity 🏃‍♀️

Afternoon:

• Lunch and maybe a quiet activity like reading 📚
• Some screen time if desired 📺
• Physical play – inside or outside 🎾
• Creative activities like art or building 🎨

Evening:

• Dinner with family (no screens) 🍽️
• Family time – talking, playing games, or reading together 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
• Maybe a little calm screen time before bed 📱
• Bedtime routine (no screens to help you sleep better) 🛏️

Make It Fun:

• Set a timer for screen time and when it goes off, have a "dance party" break! 💃
• Create a chart with physical activities and let kids choose what to do next 📊
• Have "screen-free" times when the whole family does activities together 🚫📱
• Make physical activity special – go to new parks, try new sports, or have active playdates 🏞️

Be a Good Example:

• When grown-ups balance their screen time with physical activity, kids learn to do the same 📚
• Family bike rides, walks, or outdoor adventures make physical activity fun and social 🚴‍♀️
• Having meals together without screens helps everyone focus on food and conversation 🍽️

Remember, the goal isn't to never use screens – technology is amazing and helpful! The goal is to use screens in a way that makes your life better while still keeping your body healthy and strong. When you balance screen time with physical activity, you get to enjoy the best of both worlds! 🌟⚖️