Clowning Around

 

Clowns can be hilarious, silly, obnoxious, but they almost touch our feelings. And clowns have been around for centuries. There’s more to clowns than their make-up or dress, so reveal the inner clown with these online activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Explore clown facts at https://kids.kiddle.co/Clown
• Watch a short history of clowns at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIb7tnP755Q . For older youth, check out clown history (and the reason why clowns can seem scary) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWFgt0n6WGM
• International Clown Week is celebrated the first week in August, and National Clown Day is held the Saturday of that week. Get the basics at https://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/august/clown-day-week.htm  For  more details, go to https://impactful.ninja/international-clown-week/

 

CREATE:

• Primary kids will enjoy the clown activities at https://childcarelounge.com/pages/clowns-and-circus-theme-and-activities?srsltid=AfmBOorxzMc6vjC1yOLVVd3iX5amqS9cVbquvhp-zSqtdKwrrVINIOiD
• Create a clown routine by following the directions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vGrxXeq5po
• Have fun creating and carrying out your own clown party; see ideas at https://www.realizinghome.com/clown-themed-childrens-party/

 

CARE:

• Can clowning be a service? That’s what Clowns without borders do. Learn about them at https://clownswithoutborders.org/
• Another clown group that gives service is Caring Clowns international. You can get involved too at https://www.caringclownsinternational.org/get-involved/
• Patch Adams was a real doctor who clowned with children in hospitals to bring them joy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsiaWTRTAos Read his biography at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patch_Adams

 

CAREERS:

Are you a class clown? Do YOU want to be a clown - and get paid? Or have a career that involves clowns? It might be with a circus, on TV, or even in a hospital. You could make the world a happier place, as these insights into clown-related careers.  

• https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/clown/
• https://www.clownsinternational.com/
• A day in the life of a rodeo clown https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P4O17wWUgQ

Hurray for Hospitals!

Hospitals can feel scary and big, but their staff there want to help you and your family be healthy. Becoming more informed about hospitals can help you understand and appreciate them.

CONNECT:

• What happens inside a hospital? See and hear about going to the hospital at https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/hospital.html
• Watch how U.S. hospitals have changed over the century: https://essentialhospitals.org/about-americas-essential-hospitals/history-of-public-hospitals-in-the-united-states/
• What’s a typical day for a child? Watch this video to find out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5SkrkPofNw

CREATE:

• Here are ways to pass the time and have fun during long hospital days: https://escapeadulthood.com/blog/2012-07-23/10-ideas-for-having-fun-during-long-hospital-stays.html
• Sick? Try some of these crafts and activities to feel better: https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/crafts-and-activities-for-sick-kids-1254261
• Set up a hospital role play scene in your home with these ideas: https://theimaginationtree.com/hospital-role-play-ideas/

CARE:

• It can be hard to be happy in a hospital. Small moments of joy can eally make a difference. Here are ways that hospital  staff and families can bring some joy to friends in the hospital: https://www.childrenshospitals.org/Newsroom/Childrens-Hospitals-Today/Articles/2019/03/The-Impact-of-Joy-in-Childrens-Hospitals
• You and your family should know about the rights that children and teens have at a hospital. Hasbro Children’s Hospital shares there list: https://www.hasbrochildrenshospital.org/bill-rights-children-and-teens
• Medical play is a good way to help children become familiar with hospital surroundings. Here are some tips on ways that adults can help children play hospital: https://www.ohsu.edu/doernbecher/medical-play

CAREERS:

Health careers are a growing field. In a hospital many types of jobs are needed to make the place work. Here are some possibilities:

https://explorehealthcareers.org/career/nursing/pediatric-nurse/

https://www.brightknowledge.org/medicine-healthcare/my-job-explained-children-s-nurse

https://www.psychologyschoolguide.net/social-work-careers/hospital-social-work-careers/

https://www.facs.org/education/resources/medical-students/faq/job-description

Many specialists work in the hospital; learn more about specific specialties at https://www.lutheranchildrenshosp.com/specialties-explained

Operation, Operation!

Chances are good that someone in your family (including pets) will need to have a medical “procedure” or operation. It’s really important to take care of our bodies, but sometimes we require a medical professional to get us back into shape. Even if you’re a bit sqeamish about blood and surgery, it’s a good idea to learn what’s involved so you can be more informed. Who knows? There may be a surgical “calling” inside you!

CONNECT:

• Explore pioneers of heart surgery and a map of the human heart at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/heart/.
• Trace medicine through time at http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/shp
• Here is some advance about going to the hospital: http://kidshealth.org/kid/feel_better/places/hospital.html
• Did you know that there is a museum of surgical science? Check it out at https://imss.org/
• Watch how surgery saved a dog: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/wild/the-incredible-dr-pol/videos/emergency-dog-surgery/

CREATE:

• Not that surgery is a game, but http://www.agame.com/games/surgery_games does provide several free games that simulate several procedures, such as leg surgey and pacemakers.
• Help Dr. Dixon repair a weakened aorta at http://www.edheads.org/activities/aortic/index.shtml
• Dream of being a doctor? Try your skill at arm surgery: http://www.learn4good.com/games/simulation/doctor-hospital-games-for-kids.htm

CARE:

• Here are some tips for preparing a child – from toddler to teen -- for a surgical experience: http://www.chop.edu/visitors/surgery-guide/preparing-your-child/   and http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=285&id=2221
• Is someone you know having surgery? Here is a publication that gives you tips on what questions to aks: http://www.ahrq.gov/patients-consumers/diagnosis-treatment/surgery/questions/index.html
• Some teens are considering surgery for weight loss. Be careful! Especially since the teen body is still growing, having such invasive surgery can be not only costly but dangerous. Get the facts at http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/obesity/bariatric.html and http://www.today.com/video/today/46949613#46949613
• Here are issues to think about in terms of plastic surgery for teens: http://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/briefing-papers/plastic-surgery-for-teenagers.html and http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/body_image/plastic_surgery.html

CAREER:

Think about all the people involved in surgery: receptionists, nurses, physicians, anesthesiologists, technicians, food servers, janitors, social workers, accountants, equipment providers. The following sites give a few perspectives.

• Good overview about physicians and surgeons: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm
• How to become a heart surgeon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi0HtAyh-V8
• Becoming a doctor: http://www.kidzworld.com/article/9229-becoming-a-doctor
• A surgeon’s job: http://www.knowitall.org/kidswork/hospital/realpeople/people/trauma.html 
• A day in the life of a surgical technologist: http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/health-sciences/blog/surgical-technologist-duties-a-day-in-the-life/
• Would you like to be a veterinarian? http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0934738.html