Welcome back, I hear you say. Where you been? Good question, but not as good as my first Why of 2014.
I have a monster of a cold sore at the moment. Actually, it's more like several cold sores, and they're spilling down from the corner of my mouth like poorly applied lipstick, only not as attractive. I am hopeful (but feel it is unlikely) my boys don't catch the pesky virus that causes these unsightly menaces. For this reason, I try to keep them away from any cups or cutlery I have used while sporting one. I also try not to kiss them, which is hard, and try to keep their hands away from my face, which is pretty much impossible.
So yesterday the baby was reaching for my homemade iceblock, despite the fact he had his own in the other hand (other people's treats look so much tastier than your own). "No," I said, "you don't want mummy's one. You might catch my cold sore."
"What you say mummy?" asked the nearly-three. "Is there sores on your iceblock?"
This wasn't exactly a Why, but it did lead to a lot of Whying, so I decided to find a better way to explain germs to kids.
What are germs?
Well, in this context, germs are little illness causing pests that get into our bodies through our noses, mouths, eyes (or even bottoms!), usually through our hands touching a surface or another person that has that germ on them.
Germs are little organisms that come in 4 forms: Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi and Protozoa.
Bacteria can be good, but the ones we need to watch out for are the ones that like to find their way inside our bodies and cause infection. Bacterial infections can be sore throats, tooth cavities or ear infections.
Viruses need to find a home inside a living thing, or they cannot survive. If you have a virus inside your body, you are its host, even if you don't want to be! Most viruses are fought off by your body, but some, like the coldsore virus, stop reproducing and have a little sleep for a while inside our bodies, then come back out now and again. Grr.
Fungi, like mould and mushrooms, like to grow in dark, damp places. Fungal infections are not usually dangerous, but can be uncomfortable. Babies can get fungal rashes if their damp nappies are left on too long.
Protozoa are organisms that like to live in water. When they get inside us, they can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
How are they spread?
Well, it's pretty obvious isn't it, but how do we get it through to our mucky little people who are too busy to wash their hands? When researching this question, I came across this excellent website which explains a fun way to show kids why they need to wash their hands, using glitter.
My boy is quite into looking at microscopes and magnifying glasses at present, so perhaps another way to show kids there is more out there than what they can see, would be to use a microscope or glass as an example.
See, the spider you killed has little hairs on his legs, but we couldn't see those before. Well, it's possible the sandpit has lots of little germs in it that could give you a cold or a sore tummy, so we should wash our hands before we eat lunch....
Worth a try.
Why do bees make honey? Buzz, buzz, buzz, I wonder why he does!
Germs are little organisms that come in 4 forms: Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi and Protozoa.
Bacteria can be good, but the ones we need to watch out for are the ones that like to find their way inside our bodies and cause infection. Bacterial infections can be sore throats, tooth cavities or ear infections.
Viruses need to find a home inside a living thing, or they cannot survive. If you have a virus inside your body, you are its host, even if you don't want to be! Most viruses are fought off by your body, but some, like the coldsore virus, stop reproducing and have a little sleep for a while inside our bodies, then come back out now and again. Grr.
Fungi, like mould and mushrooms, like to grow in dark, damp places. Fungal infections are not usually dangerous, but can be uncomfortable. Babies can get fungal rashes if their damp nappies are left on too long.
Protozoa are organisms that like to live in water. When they get inside us, they can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
How are they spread?
Well, it's pretty obvious isn't it, but how do we get it through to our mucky little people who are too busy to wash their hands? When researching this question, I came across this excellent website which explains a fun way to show kids why they need to wash their hands, using glitter.
My boy is quite into looking at microscopes and magnifying glasses at present, so perhaps another way to show kids there is more out there than what they can see, would be to use a microscope or glass as an example.
See, the spider you killed has little hairs on his legs, but we couldn't see those before. Well, it's possible the sandpit has lots of little germs in it that could give you a cold or a sore tummy, so we should wash our hands before we eat lunch....
Worth a try.
right-o, I have a poster of germs at home, which tessa found this morning - it was for maria's school. She was freaked out by the images (cartoon germs), and reckons she might not be sticking her fingers in her bum so much...also, we have a cool little hand held microscope, I'll bring both to session tomorrow. Zeph will love it. XXXXX
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