I am a community children's nurse who has been asked to talk to a nurseryclass of four year olds about my job.

Question

I plan to explain that I come to see their mummies after they've had a baby to make sure they are OK, and that I help show mummies how to keep their babies healthy, but beyond that I'm a bit stuck? Can anyone who has done this kind of thing make any suggestions as to what might be useful to include???

Answer 1

Picture and objects and getting them involved in acting out scenes will help them to remember and will understand things better

Answer 2

u could take a doll and baby bath in and show them how to bath a new baby??? and tell them how to keep babies healthy ask them first... and hear their answers, they will make u smile.

Answer 3

Great answers for you.

Children like to be involved in what is happening, they could each bring in a doll from home too. You could sing a song maybe Miss Polly had a dolly, the children could join in.

Remember they will sit and fidget so don't over do the talking without involving them. They will also blurt out questions and comments - sometimes that don't even relate to what you are doing. Thats the beauty of young kids - you never know whats going to happen next.

Have fun and enjoy it.

Answer 4

Make it very 3D and demonstrate some of what you do using a realistically-dressed dolly. You can take a scale and allow the children to help weighing the 'baby' (make sure it's a heavy dolly) - this can link in to some number-work, with the children identifying the numbers on the scale and maybe one or two coming up to a board to note the weight down. Talk them very slowly and emphatically through all the things you will check for in the infant, and ask them to suggest why you might be checking those things - allow this to develop into a (brief and well-directed) discussion is you think it's appropriate - you'll need to manage it well to make sure they don't digress too much or go on for too long. You can also use the health checks on the baby to reflect health issues for the nursery children themselves - maybe even allow a few to briefly tell you about a time they were unwell and had to see a nurse/doctor/go to hospital/have treatment. (this may work best right at the start, so you make the chat immediately relevant and so more interesting to the chn). You can talk about bathing, keeping clean, bring in a little bath and demo how to bath a baby - and let the chn do it too, maybe 1 or 2 of them, but emphasize clearly that with a real baby, only mummy or daddy can do this safely. Don't take in leaflets, the children will not be interested. Nice colourful, posters which deliver a clear message in pictures would be great - ask the nursery teacher if you can blu-tack them to something nearby, I'm sure they'd be more than happy to help. Oh yeah - you might talk about baby-clothes and how they are different to the 4 year-old's clothes - don't forget these kids are not that long out of the baby phase, and will be very proud that they are now big and older children - anything reinforcing this fact will earn you mega brownie points. Also discuss why they are different - the different activites and needs of a baby and a 4 year old. Eg - a little baby will be held, or will be in a pram or a cot much of the time., whereas you might be...well, who can tell me what kinds of things YOU like doing? Who likes going to the park and playing on the climbing frame?   etc...they'll be falling over themselves to help you out with suggestions for every talking point, I promise. Don't be nervous - they love it when new people come in to see them. Also don't be afraid to ask them kindly but firmly to listen, and be quiet, if necessary. Good luck!

Answer 5

take along some tools that they can actually touch - let them listen to their hearts with your stethoscope - anything hands on is great at this age.  And keep it short!

Answer 6

Believe me, the kids won't leave you stuck for words once you start taking questions from them..

Answer 7

You could bring a doll and show them how to hold a baby. Also, give them ideas about keeping themselves healthy and what to expect if they get hurt and have to go to the ER. Can you cast a doll's arm or leg? If you can, get hold of props and parts of uniforms so they can play hospital.

Answer 8

Looks like this has been answered already.

Answer 9

I just wanted to say that you have a lot of great responses to this question.  I agree very very much regarding your talking time.  As others have said, you need to bring in some dolls to promote exploration/touching.  I do baby washing almost daily after nap to promote many areas of development.  Along with the developmental aspects it keeps the mood very mellow because the water is soothing and involved experimentation is going on according to what THEY need.  They also learn to be empathetic and gentle while "caring" for this little baby. ....Just like you do!!!  Follow the advice of others and "allow" some experimentation that they can somehow find some ownership in.  You will be fine.

Answer 10

Bring as much 'stuff' with you as possible that they can try eg. stethoscope, stickers, uniform. Make sure that you make everything within a context that they will understand. Talk about how they can stay healthy eg. washing hands - ask them when to do it...healthy eating...teeth cleaning etc.