Applying sunscreen is a lifelong skill and early childhood educators have a special role to play in teaching kids about the importance of sun protection. SunSmart Victoria recommends that children from about three years are encouraged to apply their own sunscreen under supervision*. This gives them time to develop this skill so they are ready for independent application at school.
So how do early educators help make learning to apply sunscreen fun for kids? Here’s some simple tips we’ve developed with the help of the experts at Hamilton Sunscreen:
Tip #1
Make shapes on arms and legs and encourage kids to rub them out.
Tip #2
Spots and dots – place spots of sunscreen around the face and up and down arms and legs and encourage kids to remove them by rubbing them in – or they could ‘join the dots’.
Tip #3
Put a mirror on the wall at kid height and encourage kids to make their best puffer fish faces while they rub the sunscreen in.
Tip #4
Put on a song and encourage kids to rub in their sunscreen to the beat of the music.
Whichever method you choose, ensure sunscreen is applied generously and then then rubbed evenly to all areas. Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every 2 hours or more often when sweating and reapply after swimming or toweling.
Offering everything learners need to reach their full potential, Winc also stocks a comprehensive range of Hamilton Sunscreens, designed specifically for Australian conditions.
Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. Reapply frequently. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and wear protective clothing, hats and eye-wear when exposed to the sun.
