First Aid Basics

Overview

This 30-minute session is designed for Year 2 students and is part 4 of 5 in the "Safe and Healthy Choices" unit. The lesson introduces essential first aid skills aligned with the National Curriculum for England’s PSHE requirements. Using interactive storytelling and practical activities, pupils will learn how to respond safely in emergencies, focusing on calling for help and helping others who may be hurt.

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National Curriculum Links

Relationships and Health Education (PSHE) – Key Stage 1
Pupils should be taught to:

• Recognise what constitutes a safe healthy lifestyle
• Understand rules for and ways of keeping safe, including basic emergency aid procedures
• Identify and respect the differences and similarities between people

These objectives align with the learning about emergency situations and basic first aid, supporting safe behaviour and respect for others.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils will be able to:

• Understand when and how to call for help in an emergency (including knowing the emergency number 999)
• Identify simple first aid actions, such as staying calm, comforting a friend, and using a bandage safely
• Recognise why it is important to ask for adult help
• Demonstrate basic bandaging techniques on each other with support
• Express empathy and confidence in helping friends who may be hurt

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Resources Needed

• First aid puppet characters and script (custom-made puppets to demonstrate injury and response)
• Soft toy or doll for demonstration purposes
• Child-safe bandages and plasters
• Visual prompt cards showing emergency numbers and safety actions
• Large picture chart of emergency helpers (ambulance, paramedic)
• Clean paper towels or wipes for hygiene during bandaging practice

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter (5 minutes) – Discussion and Emergency Number Introduction

• Begin with a brief, age-appropriate discussion: "What do you think you should do if someone gets hurt?"
• Introduce the emergency phone number 999 using a colourful poster and explain when to use it (e.g., if someone is very badly hurt or in danger)
• Check understanding by asking students to repeat the number and tell you scenarios when it might be called.

2. Main Activity Part 1 (10 minutes) – Puppet Show Demonstration

• Perform a short puppet show where one puppet falls and gets a minor injury.
• The puppets model the correct responses: stay calm, comfort the injured, call an adult, and eventually call 999 if needed.
• Use questioning to engage the pupils; e.g., "What should we do first? Why do we need to stay calm?"

3. Main Activity Part 2 (10 minutes) – Practical Bandaging Workshop

• Demonstrate how to wrap a simple bandage around a soft toy’s arm or leg.
• Divide pupils into pairs to practice gently bandaging each other’s wrists or arms, supported by the teacher and teaching assistants.
• Encourage talking through the process, e.g., "I’m wrapping the bandage carefully to help my friend."
• Emphasise hygiene (clean hands, wipe any pretend "scratches").

4. Plenary (5 minutes) – Recap and Reflection

• Recap key points using visual prompt cards: “What number do you call in an emergency?” and “What did we do if a friend got hurt?”
• Invite pupils to share one thing they learned today.
• Praise empathy and willingness to help others safely.

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Assessment and Evaluation

• Observe pupil participation during the puppet show Q&A and bandaging practice to assess understanding and confidence.
• Use questioning during plenary to assess recall of emergency number and steps to take when someone is hurt.
• Informal assessment based on pupils’ ability to follow simple instructions and demonstrate safe use of bandages.

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Differentiation and Inclusion

• Provide additional adult support for pupils who may find practical tasks challenging.
• Use visual aids and simple language to support pupils with EAL or communication difficulties.
• Encourage all learners to participate at their own pace, emphasising cooperation and respect.

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Teacher’s Notes

• Reinforce the message that in getting help, pupils should always find a trusted adult first.
• Safety first: stress that bandaging is gentle and only for demonstration; serious injuries require adult intervention.
• Tie learning back to previous lessons about keeping safe and healthy choices to build a coherent unit understanding.

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This hands-on, emotionally supportive lesson helps children develop critical life skills early, fostering responsibility, empathy, and confidence in real-life safety situations.