Health Education: Consumer Health – Grade K

Warning labels and safety signs are special messages that help protect you from danger! 🛡️ These important symbols and words are placed on products and in places where you need to be extra careful.

Warning labels are special stickers or writing on products that tell you when something is dangerous. They use bright colors like red, yellow, and orange to get your attention quickly. These labels help you know which things are safe to touch and which things you should never touch.

The most important warning label you need to know is the poison symbol ☠️. This scary-looking symbol with a skull and crossbones means that something is very dangerous and could make you very sick if you touch it, smell it, or taste it. When you see this symbol, you should never touch the product and tell a grown-up right away!

Universal symbols are special pictures that everyone around the world can understand, even if they don't speak the same language. The most important ones for you to know are:

• The "No" symbol 🚫 - This is a red circle with a line through it. When you see this symbol, it means "Do not do this" or "This is not allowed."
• The "Do not touch" symbol - This shows a hand with a line through it, telling you to keep your hands away from something dangerous.

These symbols are like a secret code that helps keep everyone safe! When you see them, you know to be very careful or stay away completely.

Crosswalk signals are special lights that help you cross the street safely! 🚦 You need to learn what each signal means:

• Red hand or "Don't Walk" signal means STOP! Do not cross the street.
• White walking person or "Walk" signal means it's safe to cross, but you still need to look both ways.
• Flashing red hand means hurry up and finish crossing if you're already in the street, but don't start crossing.

Traffic signs also help keep you safe when you're walking or riding in a car. The big red STOP sign tells cars to stop completely. The yellow yield sign tells cars to slow down and be careful.

Warning labels can be found on many things in your home and school:

• Cleaning products like soap, bleach, and bathroom cleaners 🧽
• Medicines and vitamins (even ones for kids!)
• Batteries and electronic devices
• Art supplies like glue, paint, and markers
• Garden products like bug spray and plant food

Remember: If you see a warning label, it's there to protect you. Always ask a grown-up before touching or using anything with a warning label!

When you see a warning label or safety sign, here's what you should do:

1. Stop and read the sign carefully (or ask a grown-up to read it to you)
2. Think about what the sign is telling you
3. Follow the instructions on the sign
4. Ask a trusted adult if you're not sure what to do
5. Stay away from anything that looks dangerous

You can practice being a safety detective at home! Look around your house with a grown-up and try to find warning labels and safety signs. See if you can spot:

• The poison symbol on cleaning products
• Warning labels on medicines
• Safety signs on appliances
• Traffic signs when you're walking outside

The more you practice, the better you'll get at staying safe! 🕵️‍♂️

Making good choices for your body and mind is one of the most important things you can learn! 💪 Every day, you have the power to choose things that make you feel great and help you grow strong.

Healthy choices are decisions that help your body and mind feel good and work their best. When you make healthy choices, you give your body what it needs to grow, learn, and play. These choices help you:

• Have lots of energy to play and learn
• Stay strong and fight off germs
• Feel happy and ready for fun activities
• Sleep well at night
• Grow up big and strong

Think of healthy choices as fuel for your body, just like how a car needs the right kind of gas to run properly! ⛽

Healthy foods are like nature's medicine - they give your body all the good stuff it needs! 🍎 Here are some examples of healthy food choices:

Fruits and Vegetables 🥕🍓

• Apples, bananas, berries, and oranges give you vitamins to stay healthy
• Carrots, broccoli, and spinach help your eyes and bones grow strong
• Try to eat a rainbow of colors - red tomatoes, orange carrots, green broccoli!

Whole Grains 🍞

• Brown bread, oatmeal, and whole grain cereal give you energy to play
• These foods help you feel full and satisfied

Healthy Proteins 🥜

• Chicken, fish, eggs, and beans help your muscles grow strong
• Nuts and seeds are great snacks that help your brain work better

Dairy Products 🥛

• Milk, cheese, and yogurt help your bones and teeth grow strong
• Choose low-fat options when you can

Unhealthy foods are treats that taste good but don't give your body what it needs to be strong and healthy. It's okay to have these sometimes, but not every day:

• Too much sugar from candy, cookies, and soda can make your teeth hurt and give you a tummy ache
• Too much salt from chips and fast food can make you feel thirsty and tired
• Fried foods like french fries are hard for your body to use for energy

Remember: It's okay to have treats sometimes, but healthy foods should be your main choices every day! 🌟

Screen time means the time you spend looking at TVs, tablets, phones, or computers. While screens can be fun and help you learn, too much screen time isn't healthy for your eyes, body, or brain.

Why limit screen time?

• Your eyes need breaks from looking at screens
• Your body needs to move and play to stay strong
• Your brain needs time to rest and think without screens
• You need time to play with friends and family

Healthy screen time choices:

• Watch educational shows that teach you new things
• Play games that help you learn letters, numbers, or problem-solving
• Video call with family members who live far away
• Use screens for a short time, then take breaks

Better alternatives to screen time:

• Read books or have someone read to you 📚
• Play with toys, puzzles, or art supplies
• Help with cooking or cleaning
• Play outside or do exercises indoors

Playing outdoors is one of the best healthy choices you can make! 🌳 When you play outside, amazing things happen:

Your body gets stronger:

• Running, jumping, and climbing help your muscles grow
• Fresh air fills your lungs and helps you breathe better
• Sunlight helps your body make vitamin D for strong bones

Your mind feels better:

• Being in nature helps you feel calm and happy
• You can use your imagination in new ways
• You learn about plants, animals, and weather

Fun outdoor activities:

• Play tag, hide and seek, or follow the leader
• Ride bikes, scooters, or walk around the neighborhood
• Play ball games like catch or kickball
• Explore nature by looking for bugs, leaves, or rocks
• Have picnics or outdoor art time
• Dance or do exercises in the yard

Here are some examples of healthy choices you can make every day:

Morning choices:

• Eat a healthy breakfast with fruits and whole grains
• Brush your teeth and wash your hands
• Choose clothes that keep you comfortable

Daytime choices:

• Drink water when you're thirsty
• Take breaks from screens to play or move around
• Choose healthy snacks like fruits or vegetables

Evening choices:

• Help clean up after dinner
• Read a book or play quietly before bed
• Go to bed at a good time to get enough sleep

Sometimes it's hard to know what choice to make. Here are some questions you can ask yourself:

1. Will this choice help my body feel strong and healthy?
2. Will this choice help my mind feel good and learn new things?
3. What would happen if I made this choice every day?
4. What would a grown-up I trust say about this choice?

Remember: Making healthy choices gets easier with practice! Every time you choose something good for your body and mind, you're becoming stronger and smarter. 🧠💪

Learning to ask for help is one of the most important skills you can have! 🌟 Everyone needs help sometimes, even grown-ups. When you ask for help, you're being smart and taking good care of yourself.

Trusted adults are special grown-ups who care about you and want to keep you safe and healthy. These are people who:

• Love you and want what's best for you
• Listen to what you have to say
• Help you solve problems
• Keep you safe
• Never make you feel bad for asking questions

Examples of trusted adults in your life:

At Home: 🏠

• Your mom, dad, or guardians
• Grandparents, aunts, uncles, or older siblings
• Family friends who know you well
• Babysitters or caregivers your family trusts

At School: 🏫

• Your teacher
• The school nurse
• The principal or assistant principal
• School counselors
• Other teachers you know
• The school secretary

In Your Community: 🏘️

• Police officers
• Firefighters
• Doctors and nurses
• Librarians
• Your family's friends and neighbors

You should ask for help anytime you:

• Feel sick or hurt 🤕
• Feel scared or worried about something
• Don't understand something important
• See something that might be dangerous
• Feel sad or upset
• Need help with a problem you can't solve
• Notice something that doesn't seem right
• Want to learn how to do something new

Remember: There's no such thing as a silly question or a problem that's too small to talk about! 💭

Step 1: Choose the right trusted adult

• Think about who would be the best person to help with your specific problem
• If it's a health problem, the school nurse might be perfect
• If it's about schoolwork, your teacher can help
• If it's at home, talk to your parents or guardians

Step 2: Find a good time to talk

• Look for a time when the adult isn't too busy
• If it's an emergency, interrupt right away - that's okay!
• Raise your hand in class or say "Excuse me" politely

Step 3: Use your words clearly

• Start with: "I need help with..." or "Can you help me with...?"
• Explain what's wrong or what you need
• Be honest about how you're feeling
• Ask questions if you don't understand something

Step 4: Listen to the adult's advice

• Pay attention to what they tell you
• Ask questions if you need to understand better
• Follow their suggestions

When you feel sick at school: 🏥 The school nurse is a special person whose job is to help students when they don't feel well. You should ask to see the school nurse when:

• Your tummy hurts
• You have a headache
• You feel dizzy or tired
• You have a cut or scrape
• You don't feel like eating
• You have a fever or feel too hot
• You need to take medicine
• Something hurts on your body

How to ask to see the school nurse:

• Tell your teacher: "I don't feel well. May I please see the nurse?"
• Explain what's wrong: "My tummy hurts" or "I have a headache"
• The nurse will help you feel better or call your family if needed

When you're worried or scared: 😰 If something is making you feel worried or scared, it's important to tell a trusted adult right away:

• "I'm feeling scared about..."
• "Something is worrying me..."
• "I don't feel safe when..."
• "I need to talk to someone about..."

When you see something dangerous: ⚠️ If you see something that might be dangerous, tell a trusted adult immediately:

• "I saw something that might be dangerous..."
• "I think someone needs help..."
• "I found something that has a warning label..."

Here are some examples of how to ask for help:

At school:

• "Mrs. Johnson, I don't understand this math problem. Can you help me?"
• "I don't feel well. May I please see the nurse?"
• "I'm feeling sad today. Can I talk to someone?"

At home:

• "Mom, I'm worried about something. Can we talk?"
• "Dad, I found something with a warning label. What should I do?"
• "I need help choosing a healthy snack. What do you think?"

In the community:

• "Officer, I'm lost. Can you help me find my family?"
• "Excuse me, I think someone needs help over there."

When you ask a trusted adult for help, they will:

• Listen to what you have to say
• Ask questions to understand your problem better
• Help you find a solution
• Keep you safe and make sure you're okay
• Thank you for being smart and asking for help

Remember these important things about asking for help:

• You are never bothering an adult when you need help
• Asking for help shows you are smart and responsible
• All feelings are okay to talk about
• Adults want to help you
• If one adult can't help, you can ask another one
• Keep asking until you get the help you need

You can practice asking for help in small ways every day:

• Ask for help tying your shoes
• Ask someone to read you a book
• Ask for help reaching something high up
• Ask questions when you don't understand something
• Ask for help when you're feeling upset

The more you practice, the easier it becomes! 🎯

Sometimes you might need help right away. In an emergency:

• Tell an adult immediately - don't wait
• Use a loud voice if you need to get attention
• Call 911 if a grown-up tells you to (with their help)
• Stay calm and explain what's happening
• Follow what the adult tells you to do

Remember: In an emergency, it's always okay to interrupt and ask for help right away! 🚨