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sspanks Loyal user Atlanta GA 241 Posts |
Would you use a fire book to teach the dangers of fire to a 4 and 5 year old audience like in a Day Care? What is a good way to teach fire danger without the book?
Thank you for your input. -stephen |
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
Don't make it part of the trick, do it between tricks. Stop drop and roll was the big thing my wife taught them at that age. The other stuff like calling 911 may be a bit much for you to have to deal with.
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
The Fire Book is a prop that can be used.
One way at this age group is to tell a story about children playing with matches. With four and five year olds it is best to teach them one or two messages. Having seen so many children die in fires, I can say with certainty, the best two messages you can get across is to get out of the house (Don't dial 911- they will die very quickly from smoke trying to dial that number.) Scream FIRE and get out of the house is the best way to save their lives. The second message is the danger of playing with matches. Stop, Drop, and Roll is a great message to be taught for the next age bracket. It's more important for them to know about the dangers of playing with matches or fire. Having been involved with firefighting most of my adult life, I can say I have found at least a dozen children dead in their bedrooms because this is where they feel safest at this age. I have not responded to a "child on fire" but I have been on so many house fires which was started by children playing with matches. This post pretty much says what message you want to get across. "Get Out and Stay Out!" Dennis
Dennis Michael
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chris mcbrien Inner circle Chicago 1235 Posts |
Dennis,
Great post, but two questions: Do you worry about the fire-book being influental as a "I want to be like that guy and have 'magic fire' too" that kids might copycat? Do you worry about the teachers and principals thinking this way about the kids watching the program? |
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
Most schools are not fans of fire and you don't need a fire to get the messege across. If you want to teach a kid about choking do you strangle someone as an example?
Stop, drop and roll and having them learn how to get out; two good things. Any cool school will have these fellows called firemen show up with an engine to go over other things. You are a magician, do your tricks, emphasize the messege you are using to get the job, them move on. |
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alekei Loyal user Dubai/Lisboa 245 Posts |
I do a safety show and one of the topics is fire. Teachers do not like fire in any form close to children. It is better not to use real fire.
That's my opinion. kindest Regards, Alejandro. |
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
I think Dennis said it well. They should be taught to get out. Over the years I’ve had several of the fire departments come to our center and talk about fire safety. Not once have they shown fire in any form, not even a match.
But I do think the fire book could be used if it’s presented right. Not as 'magic fire' or a fun thing, but as something dangerous. Make it clear that you too want no part of it. Showing it with only a warning may make it tempting to copy, but when it’s flash, bang, got to get rid of this thing, I don’t like it either, the message is clearer. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-07-30 18:36, chris mcbrien wrote: The first question: I am a firm believer that kids will copycat anything that uses a match such as a candle or book matches. The fire book lights upon opening. That cannot be duplicated. Using it in a story telling fashion about a child playing with matches and set his house on fire is very powerful. The story has to be right and the message strong. The second question: No I don't worry about the teachers or principals, but my major concern is landing gigs because local fire departments do a fire prevention program for free. Quote:
On 2007-08-02 12:43, TomBoleware wrote: This is the point in a nutshell. A fire Saftey show is serious, but with Firehouse Fred prop, it can also be a teaching tool to get out of the house.
Dennis Michael
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AshleyW Regular user 174 Posts |
Firemen Safety Programs often use real fire to show how quickly fire spreads. Sometimes they bring out their special "fire room" to do that. Using fire to teach about fire safety is like...fighting fire with fire!
Scouting programs teach young children to how to set campfires, but along with it goes fire safety. Stephen, maybe it could be your "Fire Safety Book". Every time you open it to learn a new fire rule, it ignites and you scream. Then you remember this was just a test and then go over what to do in a real fire. And teach them not to panic (like you did). Think about how many kids were taught fire safety but when they actually saw a real fire, they panicked. Maybe seeing the real flames during your presentation could "embed" what they are supposed to do, and just maybe it will help them recall what they learned if they actually see a real fire in their home. I see both sides of the argument here, but my vote is, use it. (to teach). |
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Ashley, you got a great use for the fire book. Everytime you open it, you ask the kids what to do, There is a fire in that book. What should you do if there is a fire in your house. (Get Out & Stay Out).
There lies the message (Get Out & Stay Out). What do I do, What do I Do and the kids scream (Get Out & Stay Out). I like this concept. Of course it needs some re-working but it does have great potential.
Dennis Michael
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
What ever happened to the concept of erring on the side of caution?
Seems some prefer the "I got it, I'm gonna use it" approach. Be careful. |
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
MagicSanta,
Based on experience, culture, location and/or political correctness, we must make our own decisions. When dealing with fire, I happen to have experience with "young arsonists". Children who like to play with fire. In many cases, "tough love" or "photo shocking" or "community service" in a burn center all have an affect on that person. Caution is always appropriate, expecially when dealing with fire. There are a lot of fire effects that I would never use involving kids. Being a Scouting counselor in Fire Safety Merit badge, and an instructor for Scouts related to starting and lighting fire, we also have rules related to the using of fire. It's a long story, and there are always rules... both in Scouts, as well as, doing an assembly show related to fire. We must follow what each of us believe is the right thing to do. Asking questions here is a good thing, because it allows others to make informed decisions.
Dennis Michael
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
Scouts are different, I was thinking of little kids. Do as you see fit!
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
I just noticed the title. It is for little kids not scouts.
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
I would still use the fire book with Pre-K. This age group understands books and storytelling.
Isn't this the age group that listens to stories about the Big Bad Wolf eating Grandmother, the Woodsman killing the wolf. Stories about Hansel & Gretal pushing the old hag into the oven and nursery rhymes about Peter sticking his wife in a pumpkin shell, Alice in wonderland with the Cat high on something. Fire Safety at this age is very important, and "Get Out and Stay Out" would be an appropriate message. Dialing 911 for a 4 year old is not the best message because they are just learning to count and recognize numbers let alone trying to dial a phone. Age appropriate message with a startling effect that cannot be duplicated is one of the best methods of getting a rememberable message across.
Dennis Michael
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AshleyW Regular user 174 Posts |
Second that.
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
My wife was a pre k teacher for over 20 yours, you may want to perform in a speedo with flames across it but that doesn't mean it would be allowed. She said her schools never would have allowed a fire trick so I guess your thinking it is okay would have been outvoted. Granted that was in California where they are gentle and tree hugging. She also said the teachers taught fire safety along with the fire department during their visit on Fire Safety Week.
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Their lies the problem... With teachers and fire departments doing it for free, it is a tough gig to book.
Dennis Michael
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
I can see where it could be very hard to book strictly a fire program in the daycares. My center has the local fire dept come each year during fire safety week in October. The teachers cover things during the week and then on Friday the fire dept comes. One of the main goals is to get the little ones use to the masked monster looking fireman in case they have to come in and rescue them. (They are scary.) Of course the big thing of the event for the kids is going outside and looking at the fire truck.
In my state and I’m sure in many others too, the fire dept must inspect the daycares every year anyway. So it’s not like they’re not aware of or never come to the centers. Our inspection is due in October, so we able do it all the same day. A child home safety in general program which could include fire may be a better approach. The fire part could briefly include playing with matches, touching hot pots on the stove, etc. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
In my experience with preschools (my wife hates the term day care, implies baby sitting) they hire entertainers, magician, puppet show, visiting animals like reptiles or farm critters, for celebrations of special events or reward and not for a specific theme. The exception are the animals which come into Farm Week or Reptile Week. You do not need a theme to sell a show to these schools and to claim you do is misleading and really shows a lack of understanding of that market. Sure you can say 'we have themes like being polite, sharing, safety, making friends...." if it makes you feel better but it isn't needed. Now it is important to have themes like that for elementary schools or libraries (reading) because they have a tougher criteria to meet. You cannot compete with firemen, sorry gang, ain't happening. In fact I think your best approach is to sell it as a reward show and if they want a theme you'll be happy to incorporate whatever they like.
Tom once again knows his stuff. |
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