ThinkFirst for Kids
1st-3rd Grade
The ThinkFirst for Kids program was developed by ThinkFirst with the help of educators to teach children about the risks associated with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries and how they can protect themselves from serious injury. The program was designed to enhance students’ interest and learning by using four interactive components:
Brain and spinal cord injury prevention curriculum:
- brain and spinal cord anatomy
- bicycle safety
- vehicle safety
- water safety
- sports & recreational safety
- conflict resolution/weapon safety
- animated video that provides an overview of brain and spinal cord injury and safety topics
- set of five comic strips (one per safety topic) for students to color
- set of five full-color classroom posters that reinforce the key message presented during classroom instruction
All components feature Street Smart, the Safety Superhero who teaches his friends how to have fun and be safe at the same time. Several teaching strategies that inspire creativity and learning (i.e. role-play, stories, reading, sharing ideas, etc.) were used in developing the curriculum.
The ThinkFirst for Kids program increases knowledge and awareness among elementary school children about the causes and consequences of brain and spinal cord injury, injury prevention and safety habits that reduce the risk of injury. The curriculum is designed to:
- help students learn safety messages in relation to subjects
- help teachers implement the program without “teaching something extra”
- encourage students to form safety habits for life which will ultimately reduce the number and severity of traumatic injuries
ThinkFirst for Kids is a fun, comprehensive and flexible program that is easy to integrate into your classroom. In addition to teachers the curriculum may also be taught by school nurses, librarians and health educators. Contact the Greater Houston Chapter for ideas on how to incorporate the program into your school.