CLASS NOTES: OBJECTIVES OF FIRST AID
Subject: Physical and Health Education (PHE)
Class: Nursery Three (Ages 4–5)
Topic: Objectives of First Aid
Curriculum: Nigeria Hybrid (Blending Academic Rigor with Experiential Learning)
1. INTRODUCTION: WHAT IS FIRST AID?
Imagine you are a "Junior Superhero." Superheroes don't always wear capes; sometimes, they carry a clean cloth or a bottle of water.
First Aid is the very first help given to someone who is hurt or suddenly falls sick. It is the help we give before the person can see a professional doctor or a nurse.
Think of First Aid as a bridge. On one side of the bridge, a person is injured (maybe they fell while playing football). On the other side of the bridge is the hospital. First Aid is the bridge that keeps the person safe and comfortable while they travel to get better. In Nigeria, we see people get "bobos" (injuries) at home, in the classroom, or on the playground. Knowing First Aid means you know exactly what to do to help your friends and family.
2. THE THREE MAIN OBJECTIVES (THE 3 Ps)
Why do we give First Aid? We have three very important goals, often called the 3 Ps.
A. To Preserve Life (Save Life)
The most important reason for First Aid is to keep the person alive. Our bodies need to breathe and our hearts need to beat to stay alive.
- Example: If a friend is eating a piece of puff-puff and it gets stuck in their throat (choking), they cannot breathe. Giving them a firm pat on the back to help the food come out is First Aid that saves their life.
- Key Lesson: Life is a gift, and First Aid helps us protect that gift.
B. To Prevent Worsening (Stop it from getting bigger)
Sometimes, a small injury can turn into a big, scary one if we don't act fast. This objective is like putting a lid on a jar so nothing spills out.
- Example: If Amina scrapes her knee on the pavement, there might be dirt in the wound. If we leave the dirt there, "bad germs" can enter her body and make her very sick. By washing the cut with clean water and covering it with a plaster, we prevent the injury from getting worse. We stop the bleeding and stop the germs.
C. To Promote Recovery (Help the body heal)
The third goal is to help the person start feeling better immediately. When someone is hurt, they are often scared and crying. First Aid helps the body start its "fixing" work.
- Example: If your brother touches a hot pot of Jollof rice and burns his finger, putting his hand under cool running water stops the pain and helps the skin start healing. When we stay calm and talk kindly to the person, we help them feel brave, which helps their body heal faster.
3. REAL-WORLD SCENARIOS: FIRST AID IN ACTION
Scenario 1: The Playground Fall
- What happened: During break time, Tunde falls off the slide and has a bruised elbow.
- The Action: You don't scream or run away. You stay calm. You tell a teacher immediately.
- The Objective: By staying calm, you are Promoting Recovery because Tunde won't feel so scared. By getting the teacher to clean it, you are Preventing Worsening.
Scenario 2: The Nosebleed
- What happened: It is a very hot afternoon in Lagos, and a classmate’s nose starts to bleed.
- The Action: You help them sit up straight and tilt their head slightly forward (not backward!).
- The Objective: This helps them breathe easily (Preserve Life) and stops the blood from going down their throat (Prevent Worsening).
4. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: THE FIRST AID HERO PROTOCOL
When you see someone get hurt, follow these steps to be a First Aid Hero:
- Look: Is it safe for you to help? (Don't run into a busy road!).
- Call: Shout for a "Grown-up Hero" (Teacher, Mommy, or Daddy).
- Calm: Tell the hurt person, "Don't worry, I am here, and help is coming."
- Help: Do the small things you know, like bringing a clean cloth or cool water.
5. PROJECT-BASED LEARNING: "MY LITTLE HERO FIRST AID POSTER"
Goal: Create a visual guide to remember the 3 Ps.
Materials Needed:
- A4 Paper or Cardboard.
- Crayons (Red, Blue, and Yellow).
- Glue and safety scissors.
- Old magazines (to find pictures of Band-Aids or happy faces).
Instructions:
- Divide your paper into three sections by drawing two lines.
- In Section 1 (Preserve Life): Draw a big Red Heart. This reminds us to keep the heart beating.
- In Section 2 (Prevent Worsening): Draw a Blue Shield. Inside the shield, draw a plaster. This reminds us that First Aid protects us from germs.
- In Section 3 (Promote Recovery): Draw a big Yellow Smiling Face. This reminds us that First Aid makes people feel better.
- Display: Hang your poster on your fridge at home to teach your family!
6. HOME PRACTICE ACTIVITIES
Activity 1: The First Aid Box Hunt
- Task: With a parent, find the First Aid box in your house.
- Materials: Your "detective eyes."
- Outcome: Point to three things: the cotton wool, the plaster, and the antiseptic (like Dettol or Savlon). Ask your parent to show you how they use them to "Prevent Worsening."
Activity 2: The "Help" Phone Drill
- Task: Practice calling for help.
- Procedure: Use a toy phone. Pretend to call an emergency number or your Dad. Say clearly: "My name is [Your Name]. My friend is hurt at the park. Please come help!"
- Outcome: Practice makes you brave and ready!
7. LIFE SKILLS & CAREER CONNECTION
- Empathy: By learning First Aid, you learn to care for others when they are sad or in pain. This makes you a great friend.
- Bravery: It takes a very brave child to stay calm when there is a little bit of blood. This builds a strong character.
- Future Careers: Every Doctor, Nurse, Firefighter, and Pilot started by learning these same 3 Ps! If you like helping people feel better, you might grow up to work in a hospital or fly an air-ambulance.
8. STUDENT REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Think about it: Why is it important to stay calm when someone else is crying?
- Recall: Can you name the "3 Ps" using your fingers? (Preserve Life, Prevent Worsening, Promote Recovery).
- Imagine: If you were a superhero, what First Aid tool would be in your utility belt? (A magic bandage? A bottle of healing water?).
- Action: Who is the first adult you would call if someone got hurt in your house right now?
Teacher’s Note: Encourage the children to use their "gentle hands" when practicing on dolls. First Aid at this level is about awareness, calling for help, and simple comfort measures.
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