Arab Educational Information Network

The present research aimed at developing the Science curricula at the primary stage in the framework of identifying preventive education necessary requirements for the prevention of the risks of catching epidemic diseases and seasonal flu. The research also aimed at the development of the first aid skills. A questionnaire was designed to determine the requirements and procedures for the required preventive education. It included 46 open answers questions. In light of results of the questionnaire administered to Science students teachers and supervisors a list of necessary preventive education standsrds was prepared. The list included three main dimensions: Prevention of seasonal flu، prevention of infectious diseases and first aid and health care. The list included 158 sub-item. It was applied to the Science curricula of primary the stage (n=12 books). Results of the study indicated that the content of these books does not include the requirements and procedures of preventive education necessary for the prevention of the dangers of epidemic diseases or seasonal flu. In the light of this result a proposed framework for the development of the Science curricula at the primary stage based on preventive education was proposed. The framework dealt with the 12 books through 17 developed units. A developed unit in the Science curriculum of the fifth grade at the primary stage entitled “prevention of epidemic and seasonal flue” was designed as a detailed model showing how to develop the rest units in the curricula. A teacher’s guide for teaching the developed unit was also prepared. In addition a test including 32 multiple-choice items was designed for measuring preventive knowledge. An observation checklist was designed to observe the performance of the first aid and preventive skills. It included six key skills. The unit was administered to 72 fifth graders at the primary stage. Results of the study indicated the following:1) There is a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of the experimental group students in the pre-post preventive knowledge for preventing and avoiding edidemic diseases and seasonal flue in favor of the post test. 2) There is a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of the experimental group students in the pre-post application of the observation checklist of observing the preventive and first aid performance flue in favor of the post test. 3) there is a statistically significant correlation in the post administration between the test of preventive knowledge and the performance in preventive and first aid performance. (Published abstract)