As the warmest months approach for us in Australia, sun safety should become a top priority for early childhood education providers and families. 

Outdoor play is essential for children’s development, but it also comes with the responsibility to protect young (and older!) skin from harmful UV rays. 

Be Sunsmart: Key Strategies for Sun Safety

Australia’s UV levels can be dangerously high, even on cloudy days, which means it’s important to have a consistent Sunsmart routine. Educators and families can work together to make sure we are all aiming to stay safe and minimise the risk of:

• Sunburn
• Heat exhaustion
• Dehydration
• Eye damage
• Skin cancers

As well as the classic, ‘Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide’, these are the key underpinning messages we should keep at the forefront of our minds, especially in summer.

1. Apply Sunscreen Regularly

For both children and educators, applying sunscreen is a vital part of daily routines during the warmer months. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher. Make sure it is applied 20 minutes before outdoor play and reapplied every two hours or immediately after water activities. 

A practical tip for educators is to have a sunscreen station set up near the entrance to outdoor play areas, encouraging both children and staff to apply or reapply sunscreen before heading outside.

2. Promote Protective Clothing

Clothing is one of the best defences against UV exposure. Ensure that children wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved tops and pants made from tightly woven fabrics to block the sun’s rays. 

Wide-brimmed hats or legionnaire hats are recommended over caps, as they provide better protection for the face, neck, and ears. Encourage parents to dress their children in Sunsmart clothing every day and educate them on the importance of covering up as a first line of defence. 

3. Teach UV Awareness

Sometimes it might not look like a typical hot, sunny day but that doesn’t mean that we should skip our sun safety routines. It’s essential to teach children and educators alike about UV levels and how to assess them. Incorporating the use of the SunSmart app or checking the UV index daily helps everyone understand when sun protection is needed. 

Educators and/or parents can turn this into a fun learning activity by having children check the UV level each morning and adjust their decisions of attire accordingly. If the UV index reaches 3 or above, sun protection should be enforced, which may involve scheduling outdoor play for earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon.

Staying Safe for Fun in the Sun

Looking after sun safety isn’t just about following rules — it’s about building lifelong habits. By working together, educators and families can model and reinforce safe sun practices that children will carry with them as they grow. 

Let’s ensure this summer is full of fun, safe, and sun-smart outdoor play for every child!

Remember: Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade, and slide on some sunglasses!

Enjoy Sunshine and keep singing!

Encourage children to apply sunscreen themselves and make it fun! Use the opportunity to teach children sun safety, build their independence skills and enhance children’s learning through transitional times (QA 1.1.3).

To access 5 Bonkers Beat Transitional Songs including one of the most important and popular, ‘Slip, Slop, Slap’, click HERE.