Sun Awareness Week is an annual event in the UK, usually held in May, to promote the importance of sun safety and raise awareness about skin cancer.

It is organized by the British Association of Dermatologists. In early years settings, it’s an excellent opportunity to educate children about the importance of sun protection and to develop healthy sun habits.

Remember to reinforce sun safety practices throughout the summer months and not just during Sun Awareness Week.

Regularly remind children about the importance of sun protection and model safe sun habits for them to follow.

Here are some ideas for incorporating Sun Awareness Week into early years education:

Role-play activities: Set up a pretend beach or park scene and encourage children to practice applying sunscreen, wearing sun hats, and seeking shade. This will help them understand the key steps in sun protection.

Craft activities: Create sun-themed crafts, such as paper sun hats, sun visors, or sun catchers. Encourage children to decorate their crafts with sun safety messages or images.

UV-sensitive bead activities: Use UV-sensitive beads to demonstrate the power of the sun’s rays. Children can create bracelets or necklaces and observe how the beads change color when exposed to sunlight.