Published June 6, 2022 Written by Rebecca Smith

Early years activity: First aid role play

Learning aims

Use imagination to role play scenarios
Learn about occupations such as paramedic, doctor and nurse
Begin to learn how to keep themselves and each other healthy
Know that 999 calls the emergency services.

Resources

Costumes for doctors, nurses, paramedics or provide badges or hats to indicate the roles
Non-stereotypical images of adults in each occupation
Play first aid boxes with relevant equipment such as bandages, plasters, toy thermometers, syringes etc.
Old telephones or mobile phones for calling the emergency services.

Activity outline

Work with the children to set up a role play area, with seats for ‘patients’, costumes for doctors, nurses and paramedics and first aid boxes. Be aware of stereotyping so all children have the opportunity to play any role and add images to support this
It may be useful to talk with the children about their experiences of needing first aid treatment, such as when they need a plaster, take medicine or have their temperature measured. Be sensitive to any children who may have required serious hospital treatment
Role model being the first aider, demonstrating how to ask a patient what is wrong with them and decide what treatment they need, such as a bandage, plaster, taking their temperature etc.
Role model being the patient, giving examples of what might be wrong such as a sore finger, a bumped head and so on The children often enjoy treating a playful adult
Teach the children to know that 999 will contact the emergency services.

Extension ideas

Watch relevant videos of paramedics or ask one to visit your setting
Make a cardboard box ambulance and role play children calling 999 and a paramedic attending an imagined incident
Talk to the children about medicine safety.

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Important: Activities with children must always be risk assessed, including for allergies or choking. Children must always have adequate supervision. Resources and materials must always be appropriate for children’s age and stage of development.