As spring comes around, severe weather may also be on its way. Disasters can be frightening for adults – and even more so for children. That’s why the American Red Cross is teaching kids how to prevent and stay safe from the emergencies through our free youth preparedness programs.
Red Cross programs include Prepare with Pedro, for children in kindergarten to second grade, and the Pillowcase Project for children from third to fifth grade. Through Prepare with Pedro, students receive an introduction to the concept of emergency preparedness in a fun and educational way. Using storytelling and hands-on activities, students will learn to be prepared and take action in safe ways.
“It’s really important to teach children what they should do before and when severe weather hits,” said Brittney Rochell, Kansas and Oklahoma chief communications officer. “Knowing that everyone in the family is prepared to deal with emergency situations brings with it great peace of mind.”
Prepare with Pedro is presented by reading a storybook that follows Pedro the Penguin as he learns how to “be prepared and take action” during an emergency. The storybook includes hazards such as home fires, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes. The 30-to-45-minute presentation teaches students to:
- Identify the best ways to stay safe during emergencies that can occur in their communities.
- Gain confidence in their abilities to be prepared for emergencies through hands-on activities.
- Use coping skills to help manage stress during emergencies and everyday situations.
- Use their knowledge to share what they have learned with members of their household and friends.
Through the Pillowcase Project, students learn, practice, and share safety information about disasters that may occur in their local community. This includes home fires and other emergencies like tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, winter storms, and earthquakes. The Pillowcase Project teaches students about personal and household preparedness, local hazards, and coping skills. Trained Red Cross presenters will teach children about home fire safety, a local hazard common in their area (such tornadoes and severe winter storms common to Kansas and Oklahoma) and coping skills. Children are encouraged to share their skills at home by creating an emergency plan and kit with the adults in their household. The 40-to-60-minute presentation teaches students to:
- Learn the science of disasters in their area – and how to prepare for them.
- Practice what to do if an emergency happens and how to cope with related fear and stress.
- Share information and skills they’ve learned with grown-ups and friends, so everyone in the household knows what to do. For example, they may work with their household to create a home fire escape plan and practice it until everyone can escape in less than two minutes.
“The intent with these courses is to invite communities to attend one of the virtual presentations scheduled throughout the months of March and April in preparation for the upcoming severe weather season,” said Rochell. “The virtual courses are available through Microsoft Teams and Zoom.”
These courses are designed to help participants understand, prepare and respond appropriately to emergencies through engaging and age-appropriate curriculum. To learn more about these programs, go to https://rdcrss.org/39cegjy.
For a complete list of preparedness classes:
Pillowcase 3/25/2021 2:30 p.m.
Prepare with Pedro 3/25/2021 5:45pm
Pillowcase 3/26/2021 2:30 p.m.
Prepare with Pedro 3/27/21 9:30 am
Prepare with Pedro 3/30/21 9:30 am
Prepare with Pedro 3/30/2021 1:15 PM
Pillowcase Project 3/31/21 9:30 AM
Pillowcase 3/31/21 9:30 AM
Pillowcase Project 3/31/21 5:45 PM
Pillowcase Project 4/3/2021 9:30 AM
Prepare with Pedro 4/6/21 9:30 a.m.
Prepare with Pedro 4/6/21 1:15 pm
Pillowcase April 7,2021 9:30 am
Pillowcase April 7,2021 9:30 am
Prepare with Pedro April 10.2021 9:30 AM
Pillowcase Project April 14, 2021 9:30 am
Pillowcase Project April 14, 2021 1:15 pm
Prepare with Pedro April 15,2021 9:30 am
Prepare with Pedro April 15,2021 5:45 pm
Pillowcase Project April 17, 2021 9:30 am
Pillowcase Project April 20,02021 9:30 am
Pillowcase Project April 20,02021 1:15 am
Prepare with Pedro April 21, 2021 9:30 am
Prepare with Pedro April 21, 2021 1:15 pm
Prepare with Pedro April 24, 2021 9:30 am
Prepare with Pedro April 28, 2021 9:30 am
Prepare with Pedro April 28, 2021 9:30 am
Pillowcase Project April 29,2021 9:30 am
Pillowcase Project April 29,2021 5:45 pm
