Can I talk to 5,6,7 year olds about abscesses and death (in lemurs)?

Question

I just did a 5 day work experience placement at a zoo, and my mum's primary school teacher friend wants me to do a 20min speech about what I did, what happened there, what animals there are, what they ate etc... - Because they are doing an 'animals' topic for the term, and later visiting the local zoo...

While I was doing work experience, one lemur was under-going training to allow keepers to put swabs of antibiotic onto her foot because she had an abscess. Also another lemur got sick, and died during a procedure to give her fluids (vets think it was her liver).

Anyway, my question is:

-Would primary kids know what an abscess is?

-Is it appropriate to talk to the children about the lemur that died?

-Or should I just skip those bits all together? and talk more about the nice aspects? (even though death and disease are a part of reality)

Thanks

Answer 1

death - i'm not sure if that's an appropriate topic.

abscess - i'm 15 and I don't even know what that is. >____>;

but maybe i'm just dumb.

The disease, maybe you could like touch on the subject lightly, but nothing deep.

Answer 2

They wont know what an abscess is and maybe you can gloss over the dying issue.  You could explain how you looked after this amazing creature and that it was really sick but you dont need to go into detail.  Beware though i have kids the same age and they love gorey info.  Be prepared to answer the questions of why it was sick.  If you are asked try to be as honest with them as you can cos they will be fascinated by it all.

Answer 3

You can definitely talk about how you "doctored" the animals, but you have to use terminology that young children will understand. Abscess is pretty out of their vocabulary so you will have to use something like an ouchie, a sore, etc.  You can describe it and how you helped to "fix it". Children love to play doctor and vet and will relate to the taking care of animals part.  As for the one that died, you can tell them about that one too, describing how it was very ill and the vets did everything they could to help it, but they couldn't save it- it was just her time to pass away...you were able to help her be warm and comfortable.  It is helpful for kids to see photos of animals,etc while you talk about them if you have any. Kids are very visual at that age and pictures help them to visualize your story, especially about an animal like a lemur that may not be very familiar to them.Be sure to tell them funny stories- kids that age really love to hear the gross stories (like about bodily functions- peeing, pooping, nose picking), that animals are famous for.  Be sure to start and end your presentation with the upbeat information- bury the death stuff in the middle so it's not the first or last thing they hear.  Good luck- you'll do great- kids are easy- they love to hear stories, especially from special visitors.

Answer 4

I think its fine.  What kid that age hasn't seen a dead animal on the side of the road?  What you have to do is explain it to them in terms they will understand.  With abscess you will have to say something like "when you get an owie or a cut and you bleed and have a clear liquid come out?  Well, if that cut gets closed up and doesn't get cleaned out that stuff can become icky and smelly and we call it an abscess."  or something to that affect:)  But if you explain it to them.  I have also  heard to not associate dying with going to sleep as to not scare the kids.  It would fine, as long as its done in terms they understand.

Answer 5

death is just another part of life -talk away!

Answer 6

- Doubtful they would know the medical term for abscess, you could try and explain it using different words that they would understand.

- I wouldn't talk about death at all.

I would talk about how sometimes they are sick and you have to help, and talk about the nice aspects and all that.  Yes, death is a part of reality but lots of parents want to explain death on their own terms, not have someone else talk about it.  Remember they are little kids.

Answer 7

Most adults wouldn't know what an abcess was, I'm afraid, let alone primary kids. It's hard to overestimate just how ignorant many people are.

I would steer clear of the discussion about death - not because these kids are too young for it, but because you don't know them. One of them could be dealing with having a dying parent, for instance. You don't want to open a can of worms.

You could certainly talk about keepers having to give the lemurs medicine, though.