Safety-based well-being in early childhood education: Preparing children for disaster situations
Keywords:
child well-being, school safety, disaster preparedness, early childhoodAbstract
This academic article presents the relationship between well-being and safety in kindergarten settings. Early childhood children are considered a vulnerable group in terms of physical, psychological, emotional, and social development. Therefore, a sense of safety is a fundamental condition that supports children’s learning and development. Providing a safe environment that is appropriate to their age can enhance children’s well-being, reduce the risk of accidents and unexpected incidents, and help prepare them to respond appropriately to disaster situations.
This article highlights several key issues, including the relationship between well-being and safety of young children in the physical, psychological, emotional, and social dimensions; the current safety situation in kindergarten settings; and the types of disasters and emergencies that may affect early childhood children. In addition, it presents guidelines for creating safe environments and preparing children to cope with disasters in ways that are appropriate to their developmental stage. The article also emphasizes the collaborative roles of teachers, parents, and communities in promoting children’s well-being and safety. The findings can be used as a guideline for safety management, environmental design, and preparedness activities in kindergarten settings to support the sustainable well-being and development of young children.
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