Nursing and the Community - Need Ideas for First Grade

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All of the parents in my son's first grade class have been asked to speak about their professions and how it relates as a community leader and/or helper.

I have been asked to speak about nursing this week - help! Can anyone offer ideas regarding:

1) What to say

2) Goodies to give to the class

3) Websites that will give me ideas

Thank you so much...........Kristin

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Specializes in NICU.

Kristin, we've had soem threads here on this before with wonderful ideas; maybe someone can pull a couple up for you? (I have to get to bed!)

When do you have to do this? (Today's Tuesday...?) I have some ideas and I'll post them tomorrow when I'm off. Is this on nursing in general (i.e., what do nurses do?) or is it health-related topics geared to first-graders?

Off the top of my head, as for goodies, why don't you get suckers (sugar free suckers?) and make little white nurse caps out of felt or paper and glue them on top...put googly eyes, a nose, and mouth on 'em and hand them out. Never hurts to bribe a child with candy. :D

I would also try to find some nursing clip-art online and use a program like Print Shop or Adobe Photo and make coloring pages for the kids featuring nurse characters that they could color.

Go to Toys'R'Us and get a couple of those doctor-nurse kits and make little bags to give away as prizes for those who volunteer to help you with things, or to hold a drawing at the end of the class to give one or two or three away- they usually have stethoscopes, etc. in there that they can play with.

Maybe incorporate games into your presentation- like, say, one of the things nurses do is help bandage up the boo-boo's when someone gets hurt. Give them rolls of toilet paper (ever seen this at baby showers?) and pair them up and have them race each other to see who can bandage their "patient" up the quickest and give out a prize. This would be fun for them, get them excited about the presentation, get a few laughs, etc. Let 'em roll each other up like mummies. :) Then you could segue into your discussion... "Well, that's ONE thing nurses do...now let's talk about what else nurses do!" etc.

Sorry, I'm tired. I'll think on it and get back to you. :)

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Wonderful ideas, thank you! I tried running a search on this topic; I'll keep trying.

I have to speak Thursday at 8:30 AM. Any help you can offer is deeply appreciated!

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good Ideas, love the bandage race. You think well when your tired.

Good luck

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Great ideas Nico.

How about taking handwashing. I know boring. But it could be fun with bright colred soap.

Noney

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Cleaning cuts and boo-boo care good topics too. Show the kids after washing with soap and water, run alcohol pad over palm--see how much dirt is on pad.

Bandage a doll or Teddy Bear. Like the coloring book idea.

How much time is being alotted for this?? That will guide you in type of activity.

Some good info re nursing careers here:

http://www.tobeanurse.com

http://www.discovernursing.com

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

When my son's class asked me to talk about the heart (not nursing, they were studying the body), I borrowed some tapes from the cath lab, and recorded parts showing a beating heart, and the valves opening and closing. They all thought the tricuspid valve looked like a star trek door opening!

First graders loved it.

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Went to ToysRUs, several party stores -- NOTHING! The closest was ToysRUs with one large "doctor" kit which was rather expensive. Therefore, I'll have to stick with the web handouts. I know the six-year-olds love things they can touch and feel and it would have been nice - thanks for the suggestion!

I am searching for stuffed animals to use - another wonderful idea.

Topic is nursing in general - the concept is to introduce kids to different profession and how they help the community.

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How about a play phone to practice calling 911 and when it is appropriate to do so? Washing hands (make or draw "bugs"). Bring small toys that might be dangerous to allow babies to put in mouth. I would not do anything that makes medications look like candy (like M&M's) but that is good topic. Ask about favorite exercise. Take pictures or samples of good snacks (fun to make necklace out of yarn and Fruit Loops). Can I come? Sounds like fun. Also, try http://www.nurselearn.com for help and http://www.about.com/pediatrics

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Brainstorm. Went to Kids Museum once with a wheelchair and fake cast to insert arm. They had rocks, stairs, things to pickup, clothes to put on, etc. to simulate difficulties in being handicapped. Sure was eye-opener to kids. You might have to go outside to do demonstration of course.

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Thanks for all those ideas - the presentation went extremely well! I brought in a huge stuffed duck with a medical kit and showed the kids an "exam". We also talked about what nurses do, what they wear, and where they work. I was bombarded with questions and the teacher really appreciated!

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