Kitchen Safety Introduction

Overview

Age Group: Reception (4-5 years old)
Class Size: 9 students
Duration: 30 minutes
Unit: Kitchen Safety Skills (Lesson 1 of 7)

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National Curriculum Links

• Understanding the World – The World (Early Years Foundation Stage - EYFS Framework)
  • Children know about similarities and differences in relation to places, objects, materials and living things.
  • Children talk about why things happen and how things work.
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development (Self-confidence and Self-awareness, Managing Feelings and Behaviour)
  • Understanding how to keep safe.
• Physical Development (Health and Self-care)
  • Manage appropriate risks in play and activities

Note: EYFS Framework shapes the expectations for Reception students in England prior to the National Curriculum KS1. This lesson is tailored to EYFS standards and early understanding of safety and technology use.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Understand what a kitchen is used for and the importance of being safe in it.
2. Identify common kitchen hazards (e.g., hot surfaces, sharp objects, wet floors).
3. Explain simple rules to stay safe in the kitchen.
4. Demonstrate awareness of safety behaviours with peer and adult support.

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Resources Needed

• Large colourful poster showing a kitchen scene with common hazards
• Soft toy or puppet (e.g., “Safety Sam”) for role play
• Cut-out pictures of kitchen items (knife, stove, fridge, soap, etc.)
• Safety rule cards (simple sentences with pictures)
• Small pretend play kitchen setup or corner
• Whiteboard and markers
• Stickers or stamps for positive reinforcement

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Lesson Structure

1. Welcome and Introduction (5 minutes)

• Gather children in a circle.
• Introduce “Safety Sam” (the puppet) who is nervous about using the kitchen safely.
• Ask: “What do you think we do in the kitchen?”
• Show the kitchen poster; initiate a brief discussion about things they see in kitchens.

Teacher talk example:
“Today, Safety Sam wants to learn how to be safe in the kitchen. Can you help Safety Sam?”

2. Identifying Hazards (10 minutes)

• Using the kitchen poster, ask children to spot things that could be dangerous (e.g., a knife, hot stove).
• Show each hazard and explain in simple terms why it could hurt us.
• Use questions to promote thinking:
  • “What should we do if we see something hot?”
  • “Why do we not touch knives?”
• Use the soft toy to demonstrate safe and unsafe actions (e.g., “Safety Sam touches the hot stove—oh no! That’s not safe.”)

Differentiation:
For children who struggle with verbal cues, point to the safety rule cards for visual support.

3. Safety Rules Practice (10 minutes)

• Introduce three simple kitchen safety rules with pictures:
  1. Always ask an adult before touching anything.
  2. Keep hands away from hot or sharp things.
  3. Wash hands before and after using the kitchen.
• Conduct a fun role-play where children act out these rules with Safety Sam, encouraging everyone to participate.
• Reinforce understanding by asking children to repeat the rules aloud together.

4. Recap and Positive Reinforcement (5 minutes)

• Recap key points with the group using the kitchen poster and puppet.
• Ask children: “What did Safety Sam learn today?”
• Give out stickers/stamps for participation and good listening.
• Explain that next time, they will learn about how to clean up safely.

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Assessment

• Formative Assessment: Observation of children’s participation during discussion and role-play. Note if children can recall the simple safety rules.
• Anecdotal Notes: Record children who demonstrate understanding or need additional support.
• Questioning: Use open-ended questions to check understanding.
• Peer Support: Encourage children to help each other recall hazards and rules.

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Classroom Management Tips

• Use clear, simple language and repeat key points.
• Keep the atmosphere positive and encouraging.
• Use visual aids constantly to support comprehension.
• Move activities swiftly to maintain attention.

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Extensions and Home Links

• Send a simple home safety sheet or picture guide about kitchen rules to share with parents/carers.
• Suggest parents involve children in helping with simple kitchen tasks under supervision to practise safety at home.

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This structured, interactive, child-centred approach will engage Reception students in understanding kitchen safety, laying important foundations for practical life skills and personal safety awareness.