“What does it mean to be safe at daycare?”
When introducing this concept to the children, we highlight that to be safe at daycare our work, body, and feelings need to be safe.
To introduce this concept to the kids, we asked them – What makes you feel safe? We then went around the table and each child got to share what makes them feel safe. Having done this activity is a gateway into bigger conversations about what it means to be safe at Daycare.
What Makes Us Feel Safe?
Our program poster!
Here is a poster I made, with the kids’ help, at the daycare entrance. It states “I am safe and I am…” Then each child got to put a descriptive word of what they think they are at daycare, under their photo. I chose to do this so that when they enter daycare they can remember that they are safe and whatever else they chose. Sort of like a morning affirmation!
Below are photos of the kiddos drawing on the poster board, I wanted them to feel like a part of the process so I had them draw whatever they wanted so their art would be the base of the poster!
I brought this idea forward hoping that when walking in the door the children would be reminded of our “safe spaces” conversations. I had the children engage in collaborative art on the poster itself. I allowed them to color and draw the base before adding their photos so that when seeing the poster they could see their work and feel like proud contributors as they entered the program. Having the poster hanging as they transition into our care is a constant reminder that they are safe and whatever else they choose for themselves!
