Sun protection is fun! A skin cancer prevention program for preschools

Children and their caregivers are prime candidates for intervention to curb the rising incidence of skin cancer in the United States. Preschools provi de a unique opportunity to influence the sun protection practices of parent s and teachers on behalf of young children. Sim Protection is Fun!, a compr ehensive skin cancer prevention program developed by The University of Texa s M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in collaboration with The University of Texa s-Houston Health Science Center School of Public Health, was introduced to preschools in the greater Houston area. The program's intervention methods are grounded in Social Cognitive Theory and emphasize symbolic modeling, vi carious learning, enactive mastery experiences, and persuasion. Program com ponents include a curriculum and teacher's guide, videos, newsletters, hand books, staff development, group meetings designed to encourage schoolwide c hanges to support the program, and sunscreen. The intervention map, includi ng objectives for program development, implementation, and evaluation, is d iscussed.