Four-year-old Nathan Ho?s light-up sneakers glimmered as he shuffled across a gym floor into the arms of Howard County firefighter Brenda Bonzal. Pressing his tiny hands to his eyes, Nathan fell to the ground and rocked his body from side to side. Bonzal gazed down approvingly, confident he?d mastered the classic fire safety exercise: the stop, drop and roll.
“We have an alarm to keep smoke out of the house,” Nathan said.
Fire safety was one of seven lessons preschoolers learned Thursday at the St. John?s Parish Day School, a private pre-kindergarten though fifth-grade school in Ellicott City.
The school hosted a Preschool Health Fair to teach students about choosing health-snacks, brushing their teeth, wearing a helmet and exercising daily.
“You have to relate it to them on their level,” said Bonzal, gripping a telephone she used to demonstrate a 911 call. She also used a wooden play stove to show the students places they shouldn?t touch on home appliances.
Ellicott City dentist Tom Menton demonstrated proper tooth-brushing technique on a stuffed dog named Waldo. A group of 4-year-olds sat rapt as he combed Waldo?s enormous mouth with a toothbrush.
“Preschoolers need parents to help them brush. When they learn [about dental health], it makes parents get their act together,” he said.
Teachers at St. John?s Parish Day School said the students are starting to understand why good hygiene and safety are important.
“It?s not too early … they are so capable,” preschool teacher Mary Jane Rudnicki said.
After visiting with Howard County police officers, Meg Albert, 5, pledged to always wear her helmet while bike riding.
“You have to wear a helmet, because if you fall and boink your head the helmet protects you,” she said.
