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Volume 2 Issue 10
November 2004
Health (The Flu Season)
WELCOME! to Education World's Early Childhood Newsletter. Each month, I'll share some ideas
on a familiar teaching theme. Hopefully you will find a new activity idea or two -- or a new twist
on one of your old favorites! Since I know you are very busy, I'll be short and sweet -- like most
of activities I suggest.
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The flu season is here! And while teachers of young children always stress good hygiene habits,
this year it could be more important than ever. So here are some ways to fight the flu. Integrate
them wherever you have an opportunity to teach children ways to stay healthy.
Thoughts of the flu season always remind me of a former student, a kindergartner, who missed the
first days of class in September… Upon finally joining the class, the child promptly had an
“accident.” The child had returned the evening before from a summer in India; he had
a whopping case of dysentery. His mother picked him up and took him home… and brought him
back the next day explaining that she knew he should come to school every day. That day, the scenario
repeated itself. The school nurse and I explained to the mother that although school *is* important,
the child needed care at home for his sake and for the sake of other children at school.
As I learned, sometimes the importance of attending school *every* day can be overemphasized. This
flu season, teachers and parents will have to work together to keep well children well, and sick
children home. And, don’t forget, that goes for teachers too!
Anne Guignon
Editor, Early Childhood Education Newsletter
WASHING HANDS, WASHING HANDS,
WASHING HANDS
Some preschools and elementary schools are beginning to have children wash hands first thing upon
entering the classroom at the beginning of the day. Couldn’t hurt!
MAKE GET-WELL CARDS
When classmates are sick, teach caring by making and sending get-well cards or get-well videos.
What else can children do to make someone who is sick feel better? Brainstorm several scenarios
with children: contagious (and non-contagious) illness, broken bone, homebound… Find some
ideas in this resource from PBS: http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/action/way03.html
EXERCISE, EXERCISE, EXERCISE
Exercise is the backbone of good health. Each day, plan a period of exercise: a walk around the
school or around the block, active games in the gymnasium… That activity could provide an
advance warning of children coming down with something. Keep your eyes peeled for children who appear
more tired than usual. Exercise keeps the healthy child healthy. But it can make the sick child
tired.
SHARING -- YES OR NO?
Sharing. It’s one of the things we teach and emphasize with young children. Flu season changes
that emphasis, however. Every time someone touches something touched by another, germs can be picked
up.
KidSource, an online resource, suggests a poster-making activity that reinforces the idea that
some personal items should *not* be shared (for example, toothbrushes, cups, combs, hairbrushes,
spoons…). See that resource:
Learning Partners -- Let's Be Healthy!
http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content2/healthy.lp.html
HOW MANY TOUCHES?
Cold and flu germs can be transferred by touch. When an infected person coughs or sneezes in his
or her hand and then touches a faucet, doorknob, toy, or tabletop, the germs are left behind on
the touched item. Another person touching that same item and then touching his or her mouth, nose,
or eyes could have received the germs.
Reinforce how easily germs can be shared in the classroom. Encourage children to predict the number
of times a classroom item will be touched during an hour (or for 15 minutes, during circle time,
upon arrival…)? Then, station a student “counter” near the item. The counter will
tally the number of touches the object receives. When time is up, compare the number of touches
to predictions.
COVER THAT SNEEZE
Cover coughs and sneezes is a basic health “rule.” But…
* If a child coughs into his or her hand, germs will be transmitted to the next thing the child
touches unless he or she washes hands first.
* If a child coughs or sneezes into a tissue, that tissue becomes “germ central” --
not to be touched by others. Solicit ideas from children for wastebasket placement so one will always
be near.
TISSUE WASTE-BASKET-BALL
To prepare for flu season, practice throwing away tissues and paper hand towels with a game of basketball.
The trashcan is the basket!
MATCHING GAME
Make a matching game, using photos of children (from the class) acting out good health habits --
and some not-so-good habits.
READ ABOUT STAYING HEALTHY
These books are good ones to share for teaching health lessons:
--- Wash Your Hands by Tony Ross
--- Germs Make Me Sick! (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2. A Reading Rainbow book) by Melvin Berger
--- Germs on their Fingers! / Germenes en tus manos! by Wendy Wakefield Ferrin. Both Spanish and
English versions; for slightly older children.
Check out the following Web sites for more
background information for adults and activities about fighting flu and helping children learn about
staying healthy.
PRESCHOOL EDUCATION.COM
Find music and songs for health and safety, including several hand-washing songs, use-a-tissue songs,
daily-routine songs, seatbelt and traffic-light songs, and more. Songs might provide jumping-off
places for writing your own songs or poems.
http://www.preschooleducation.com/shealth.shtml
DR. PAUL: FACT SHEETS -- INFECTION
PREVENTION IN CHILDREN
This is a great resource for teachers and parents, from a pediatrician.
http://www.drpaul.com/factsheets/infection.html
ZOOM BY KIDS, FOR KIDS:
HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE SICK
This link from PBS has suggestions for ways children “can help people who are sick.”
Creative teachers can adapt the activities for children’s specific ages.
http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/action/way03.html
KID SOURCE ONLINE
Kid Source Online offers “in-depth and timely education and healthcare information that will
make a difference in the lives of parents and children” -- and teachers too! You may find
some of these pages valuable references for parents.
Flu: Tips to
Help Get Kids Back to Health
http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content2/news2/flu.tips.html
Children's Hospital
Offers Health Tips Due to Early Influenza Season http://www.kidsource.com/health/child.influenza.symp.html
The Common Cold
http://www.kidsource.com/health/the.common.cold.html
Diarrheal Diseases
in the Child Care Setting http://www.kidsource.com/health/DiarrhealDiseasesChildCare.html
Learning Partners
-- Let's Be Healthy!
http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content2/healthy.lp.html
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