The aim of this diploma work was to investigate kindergarten teachers' attitudes toward the importance of integrating first aid activities into the kindergarten and the implementation of these activities in the preschool period. The data have been collected using an online questionnaire completed by 155 qualified preschool teachers in Slovenia. The questions were related to their views on the introduction of first aid activities for preschool children and the inclusion of such activities into a kindergarten programme. We were also interested what goals they were trying to achieve with it. Furthermore, we examined how kindergarten teachers rate their knowledge of first aid and if they are prepared to undertake further training.
Our results indicate that our participants support the integrating of first aid activities in kindergarten and have positive attitude towards learning first aid early. More than half of our participants incorporate first aid activities into kindergarten activities several times a year, usually by setting up a first aid corner in the room or unplanned by accidental injuries to children in the kindergarten. Children are usually offered free play with first aid materials or topic is presented by book material. The most important purpose is familiarisation them with health care, healthy life style and reducing fear of injuries. The topics for inclusion activities in kindergarten are measures to take in the event of collision, insect bites and calling 112. They rate their competence in teaching first aid knowledge to children very highly and most of them are willing to participate in additional training in this area.
The inclusion of first aid activities is useful and endorsed by kindergarten teachers. It is necessary and important that kindergarten teachers have sufficient knowledge about first aid, as well as about the importance and possibilities of early learning of first aid, about the content suitable for interventions at preschool age and about appropriate methods and ways of imparting knowledge. Further research is needed in the area of early first aid learning. It would also be interesting to study children's responses to these activities.
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