 People We Trust
Objective
To identify the appropriate persons
from whom a child can safely take medicine.
Background
It is not enough for children in the early years to know the difference between medicines
and harmful drugs. They must also be aware that there are persons from whom they should
take a medicine and others from whom they should not. Children rely on adults to give them
medicine when they are ill. Only a few known, trusted persons should give medicines to the
children. Children should not receive medication from strangers, peers, or adults other
than a parent (or caretaker), physician, or nurse, except with the written permission of a
parent or guardian. Learning this rule for taking medications will help children
understand that they must not accept any kind of medicine offered by anyone but authorized
adults.
Activities
Have students suggest a list of possible persons who might give them medicine (examples:
mother, brother, doctor, caregiver, neighbor, stranger). Write these names on the
chalkboard. Discuss, name by name, whether the person is one from whom the child should
take a medicine.
Discuss
why some people would be inappropriate, cross out the names of persons from whom students
should not take drugs. Tape the cut-out smiling faces (see PDF worksheet file), next to the names of
people from whom they can take a medicine.
Resources
Smiling faces (see
PDF worksheet file); chalkboard.
Teacher tips
This activity will require you guide students. The original list of people who things to
children persons from should not take drugs. YOU may have to explain why some of the
people on the list are not good persons to administer medication.
Caution students that there are some
people – strangers in particular – from whom they should never accept any
medicines, candy, or other consumable substances without their parents' or guardians'
permission. This, rule will help students understand that they must take medicine
only from credible adults who are concerned about their well being.
Download Activity Worksheet
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Source
Learning
to Live Drug-Free, A Curriculum Model for Prevention, U.S. Department of Education's Safe
and Drug-Free Schools Program |
