Going To The Doctor: Our Community Helpers

****Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.****

Going to the doctor can be scary for kids. When we talk about community helpers, I always include discussions and books about people in the medical profession. We talk about why it is important to have regular check-ups, going for sick visits and even immunizations. No one likes getting a shot, and preschoolers are often even more apprehensive since they are precisely at an age where many of the booster immunizations are administered. I think helping children know what to anticipate during a visit can be reassuring and helps to alleviate some of the fear. Whenever possible, I try to have parents (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, etc.) come in and share what they do. 

One of our parents (a doctor) came to visit and shared a sweet book called "What's In A Doctor's Bag?" by Neil Shulman and Sibley Fleming. She then pulled out items from her doctor's bag and demonstrated each item. Later, she let the kids explore and experiment with the items. The children listened to their heartbeats and had their reflexes tested. 

In our small groups later in the week, children made a little doctor kit, placing some of the first aid supplies inside while discussing what each item was used for.

 

We had a pharmacist (another parent) come to speak to our class. She talked about medicines, first aid and spreading germs. We did a great little experiment on spreading germs. She added some fine glitter to a bottle of hand sanitizer to simulate germs and gave two children a little squirt to rub on their hands. Each child shook hands with another student and that student continued to pass on the handshake. After everyone had finished, we looked at our hands. Even though only two people had the hand sanitizer germs, almost everyone had a little glitter on their hands! This really helped illustrate the concept of spreading germs in a concrete way. 

After talking about simple wound care (such as bug bites, cuts and scrapes), she gave use a little first aid kit for our class. We already have a pretty extensive first aid kit both in our classroom and in our school office, but this one is perfect to use on the fly for field trips. 

One of our neighboring classes did a cute craft about x rays. The students traced around their arms with chalk on black paper and glued cotton swabs to represent bones on the x ray. Too cute!!!!

I am so fortunate to have such great parents that are willing to come in to share their occupations with the class! I think many of the children's fears were eased by getting to know our community helpers and asking questions. Thank you, Dr. Syed, and Mrs. Williams for sharing your time and expertise with us!

If you'd like more information about the book Dr. Syed read to our class, click the link below.  My Amazon Affiliate link:

And a few links for "medical" supplies for doctor/medical play:

           

I'd love to read your thoughts or comments! Please share them below the post!

Locks of Love For Hannah

February has been a busy month, what with the heart project and Jump Rope for Heart and Valentine's Day--the month is only half over! My heart has been filled with the spirit of giving this month!


A couple of weeks ago, I got a notification in my facebook inbox about a "Cut-A Thon", a local fundraiser for a small child suffering from cancer. I glanced at it quickly and assumed it was a request for me to participate in "Locks of Love". I've had very long hair for the last couple of decades. I cut it once, on a whim (and donated my hair), and was terribly unhappy for several years until it grew back. My long red locks have essentially become a part of my identity. I was not sure I was ready to cut my hair again, but the fundraiser was in 2 days. After much thought, I finally decided that I wanted to do it. I would donate my locks in honor of the sweet little girl whose mom had sent me the invitation. Hannah is doing pretty well now, but I remember her last year, bald and frail, with a beautiful sunny spirit. I'm so thankful for the wonderful families I teach. Sometimes, one of those special families come along and we just bond. I've come to grow quite close to Hannah and her family.  I decided to go through with it, but was too scared to let Hannah's family know. I was too afraid I'd back out at the last minute.


The morning of the fundraiser came and I felt pretty good about it. I was ready! I pulled up to the salon and there were people everywhere, in lines inside and out. I made my way to the reception counter and began to tear up just a little, as I told the girl I wanted to cut my hair for Locks of Love. At that moment, I felt a slam against my legs from behind, hugging me tight. I turned, and there was my Hannah. "Mrs. Ayn!" she exclaimed. I finished checking in and walked over to where her family was seated. The whole family was there, all getting haircuts--Mom, Dad, Grandma, Hannah and her 2 younger sisters, Alyssa and Brenna. When I told Hannah's mom that I wanted to donate my locks in Hannah's honor, they all decided to stay and cheer me on. 

It was a fabulous day! It's been an adjustment, but I haven't regretted it for a single second. It was truly one of the most beautiful moments of my life! 

Special Visitors for Pet Week in Pre-K

We've had some very special visitors in our class for Pet Week. We've been learning about pets and how to take care of them.


We had Alex the Yorkie visit...

And a Yellow Lab, Berkley...

We learned about the tack (or horse supplies) used to take care of a pony...

and got to see and smell the various types of feed that ponies enjoy.

We also met the pony who the tack and feed belonged to! Meet Midknight, the Pony!

Hannah demonstrated how to brush her pony and pick his hooves.

The children each got a turn to come up and pet the pony!

We love our pets! I am so thankful to have wonderful families that took the time to come and share their pets, especially the Marshall family, the Oldham family and the Pace family!


If you's like to read more about our Pet Week activities, check out "Pet Art" and "Pet Week Play in Pre-K"


Thanks for visiting! Leave a little "comment love"~I'd love for you to share your thoughts!

Having Fun With Gingerbread in Pre-K

 

This week, we've been reading lots of stories about gingerbread. Of course, one of our favorites is the Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett!

We started by making some child sized gingerbread people with craft materials. After the kids painted the paper cutout, they sprinkled with cinnamon on the wet paint. Smells really yummy! 

The kids used fancy scissors to make paper ric rac for trim with a few simple shape cut outs. One friend colored the eyes so they would be "more prettier". There was a great discussion about adding eyelashes, but the discussion went by the wayside by the time they'd finished with the other features. 

 

 

 


On Friday, we invited parents to come in and help us make some gingerbread houses in small groups. It was a lot of fun, a fabulous creative, sensory experience! I am so thankful for such wonderful parents that came to help. (And they are all working parents, but still managed to find time to help us out!) 

            

 

It turns out that the parents had the most important job of all--hold the house together!! (I promise, next time we'll read the directions well beforehand, and we'll know to let the houses set up for a bit before decorating! ;)

 

 

While the parents held the houses in place, the kids decorated like crazy!

 

 

 

 

I'll try to come back and post a pic on Monday of the one that collapsed before setting while we were outside at recess. By the time we returned, it finally had set--in collapse mode!