Children frequently become sick in the early years, especially if they have just started attending an early childhood education and care setting. Children can also have family members with health conditions and questions about Coronavirus.
Being sick isn't nice, especially when you're little. Early childhood educators can help children understand illness and develop good hygiene practices.
NQS and EYLF
The National Quality Standard requires early childhood education services to promote and implement effective practices in illness and injury management and hygiene (2.1.2).
The Early Years Learning Framework asks children to take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing (3.2).
Experiment with a thermometer
Explain that our bodies can become hot when we get sick, and thermometers can tell us if we are getting too hot. Provide two items to experiment with, one hot and one cold, such as a glass of hot water and a glass of iced water. Let the children test a thermometer to see how it reacts to different temperatures.
Take care of a teddy bear
Provide children with items to help them care for a soft toy. Educators can choose the items for toddlers, but let older children tell them what they need. Suggestions include a bed with a snuggly blanket, a thermometer, a wet cloth to cool its head, pretend medicine, dry crackers to nibble on, and even a bucket if it needs to vomit.
What makes you feel better when you're sick? Do you think teddy would like that too?
Discussions
- Have you ever felt sick before? Can you tell me about it?
- Have you ever had to go to the doctor when you were sick? What was that like?
- What does it feel like when you are sick?
- What makes you feel better when you're ill?
- How can we prevent illness (e.g. rest, good nutrition, exercise, handwashing and covering our mouths when we cough)?
Resources
Picture books
These two books help children understand chronic illness, especially if it relates to a parent or loved one.
- Some Days by Julie A. Stamm
- Big Tree is Sick by Nathalie Slosse