APPLICABLE METHODS IN TEACHING EARTHQUAKES TO PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

It has been demonstrated that earthquake education from the early ages of children in preschool levels can be a suitable vehicle for increasing their knowledge to deal with earthquakes. Also, the transfer of this knowledge to the family and to the wider community seems feasible and promising in the development of a future seismic safety culture in the country. Various methods and activities have been designed and used in different parts of the world for educating the preschool children for disasters. In this paper, few of the applicable methods as well as other appropriate activities proposed by teachers are chosen, compared and tested in 10 nursery schools in four various geographical areas of the capital city of Tehran with more than 200 children. Children of ages 5 and 6 have been tested and questioned and interviews have been undertaken with teachers, administrators and parents. The results of this study reveal the most applicable and feasible methods for teaching earthquakes to small children through evaluation and comparison of these methods.