Unmasking Masks

 The last couple of years people have been wearing masks to keep healthy, but people have been wearing masks for thousands of year, often for fun. Unmask some mysteries of masks with these online activities.

CONNECT:

• Unmask the facts about masks – and see examples throughout history – at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWb_en6Fr-k&ab_channel=BrianReverman
• See 10 peculiar and splendid masks with different purposes at https://museumsvictoria.com.au/article/10-peculiar-and-splendid-masks/
• Even medical masks have a long history, which you can see at https://wellcomecollection.org/articles/XwMmcBQAAGwR9GY8
• What is Lucha Libre? Translated, it means freestyle wrestling – and it is associated with masked Mexican wrestlers. This short documentary unmasks their reality: https://www.google.com/search? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uDAl_MmQb4&ab_channel=FilmIsNowMovieTrailersInternational

CREATE:

• Make a carnival eye mask by following the directions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9xKaURmzT0&ab_channel=GatoRainbow%26GataMoon
• Here are 30 more do-it-yourself kid-friendly mask ideas for you to create: https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/75750/diy-mask-ideas-kids/
• Who do you think are the greatest masked superheroes? Here is one person's opinion about the top masked Marvel and DC superheroes: https://www.comicbasics.com/superheroes-that-wear-masks/ Do you agree?

CARE:

• Find out why it's important for kids to wear face masks: https://carithersgroup.com/facts-face-masks-for-kids/
• Make health masking fun with these activities: https://blog.kaplanco.com/ii/mask-activities-for-kids
• Parents can use these tips to help their children gain social and emotional kills while being masked: https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/tips-to-help-your-child-wear-a-mask

CAREERS:

Is a mask in your future? - in medicine, fire fighting, manufacturing, art, theater, the food industry? Unmask these careers that involve masks.

• https://careertrend.com/info-8413686-jobs-use-gas-mask.html
• https://www.zippia.com/mask-designer-jobs/
• https://theater-masks.com/teaching-workshops-residencies/about-masks-in-actor-training/

Use a search engine to find images of “jobs that involve masks.”

Take Your Medicine

 

You’ve probably taken medicine at some time. What do they do, and how do they work? Cure-ious? Diagnose the reason with these activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Find out what medicines do at https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/kidmedic.html
• What’s the difference between medicine and a drug? Get the answer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmiBhxd2ljA
• Watch how medicines are prepared at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY7uS9bm3Zk
• Watch the history of medicine around the world at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwsUsQYU8yo
• Watch medieval medicine practices at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuEuaSmDOec

 

CREATE:

• Explore kid-friendly medical and health games at https://www.claricode.com/content/Medical-and-Health-Games-For-Kids.aspx
• Doctors are professionals who prescribe medicines; here are doctor activities and fun ideas for kids: https://www.childfun.com/themes/people/doctors/
• Create a doctor dramatic play area by following the directions at https://earlylearningideas.com/doctor-dramatic-play/

 

CARE:

• For parents: here are 10 ways to get kids to take medicine: https://www.everydayhealth.com/kids-health/10-ways-to-get-kids-to-take-medicine.aspx
• For parents: read these topis for giving medicine safely to your child: https://medlineplus.gov/medicinesandchildren.html
• Here are says to use and keep medicine safe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M21HNpx05w

 

CAREERS:

Medicine is a vital way to stay healthy – which means that medicine-related careers are a healthy choice. Examine some of these resources about medical careers.

• https://www.aamc.org/cim/https://students-residents.aamc.org/choosing-medical-career/deciding-career-medicine
• https://pharmacyforme.org/pharmacy-careers/

 

The Spices of Life

 You are probably eating some of the same spices that people ate and used over 3000 years ago! Spice up your life with these activities about spices.

 

CONNECT:

• Spices have improved humans’ lives since ancient civilizations’ times; read the spicy history at https://www.mccormickscienceinstitute.com/resources/history-of-spices
• See how spices changed the ancient world at https://www.bbc.com/future/bespoke/made-on-earth/the-flavours-that-shaped-the-world/
• The earliest use of cinnamon was in religious ceremonies; discover more of this spices sacred uses at https://thespiceacademy.com/custom-and-belief-cinnamon-in-religion-and-folklore/
• Watch the science of spice at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DnlkOSBWj8

 

CREATE:

• Stimulate your senses with sensory spice painting: https://craftulate.com/sensory-spice-painting/
• Watch this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Qm89lMLkQ4) to see how to use herbs and spices in the kitchen.
• Your spice rack is historic! Look at it in a new way to see the history of five common spices: https://www.amexessentials.com/historical-facts-about-spices/
• Explore the science of seasonings at https://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/seasoning/index.html

 

CARE:

• Explore medical uses of spices at https://unitproj.library.ucla.edu/biomed/spice/index.cfm?spicefilename=medspice.txt&itemsuppress=yes&displayswitch=0
• Does your medicine cabinet have these 12 spices? https://thewholejourney.com/12-spices-that-belong-in-the-medicine-cabinet/
• Discover how spices have been used in perfumes for centuries at https://www.carrementbelle.com/blog/en/2020/10/20/spicy-notes-perfume/#:~:text=Among%20the%20warm%20spices%20most,base%20notes%20of%20a%20perfume.
• Celebrate International Hot and Spicy Food Day – and check out a chart to find out about health-benefitting spices at https://studentaffairs.duke.edu/blog-entry/international-hot-spicy-foods-day

 

CAREERS:

Want a spicy career? You can be a chef, a chemist, a naturalist, a farmer, a manufacturer, a seller, and even a historian. Spice up your future with these possible jobs.

https://www.astaspice.org/asta-programs-resources/general-publications-and-resources/introduction-to-spices-for-new-industry-professionals/

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/careers-in-food

Blood lines

 

You know what blood is — it's that red stuff that oozes out if you get a paper cut. But what is blood, really, and what does it do? Explore these activities to get these and more answers to our life stream.

 

CONNECT:

• Find out how blood works at https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/blood.html
• Watch how blood journeys around the body at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s5iCoCaofc%20
• Watch the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnEprHobSAA  to find out why there are different blood groups.

 

CREATE:

• Experiment with blood-y hands-on science activities at https://www.weareteachers.com/circulatory-system-activities/
• Learn about blood by playing this game: https://www.tinytap.com/activities/g1dv5/play/blood
• Explore blood typing science at https://learning-center.homesciencetools.com/article/blood-typing-science-for-kids/. While there is information about a blood typing kit, you don’t have to go that far; the experiment thereafter is informative in and of itself. But DO ask about your blood type the next time you see your doctor.

 

CARE:

• What happens when people donate blood? Watch the process at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90WPE4_JRD8
• What happens during a blood transfusion for children? Parents, get the facts at https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/blood-transfusions-for-children
• Watch this family-friendly video about treating minor cuts and bruises at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsmwXnzl40g

 

CAREERS:

Don’t faint at the sight of several careers that are blood-related. Instead, explore some of them here (no cuts were made in selecting these websites).

• https://www.phlebotomyexaminer.com/careers-in-blood-work/
• https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/healthcare-science/roles-healthcare-science/life-sciences/blood-sciences
• https://www.jobs.net/article/cb-138-talent-network-healthcare-8-creepy-careers-in-healthcare-proceed-with-caution/

Rah for Rodents

 

January 21 is Squirrel Appreciation Day, and 2020 was the Chinese Year of the Rat. What do squirrels and rats – and porcupines -- have in common? They are both rodents, along with about forty percent of all mammal species -- and found on every continent except Antarctica. Gnaw on these and other facts and fun with the following activities.

CONNECT:

• Here are 10 fun facts about rats: https://www.natgeokids.com/au/discover/animals/general-animals/facts-about-rats/
• Rats have been around a LONG time, and are great travelers. Read about their history at https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-where-did-rats-first-come-from-121307
• Check out the history of the lab rat at https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/history-lab-rat-scientific-triumphs-ethical-quandaries-180971533/
• Indeed, rats may  be the unexpected heroes of the working animal world: https://www.treehugger.com/rats-unexpected-heroes-of-the-working-animal-world-4861866

 

CREATE:

• What’s true or false about rats? Play this game of true and false about rats at https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=7dipg3u47VU
• Watch how to make a maze game by following the directions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97gSldzVNcA
• Celebrate the end of the Year of the Rat before the next Chinese New Year with these crafts: https://artsymomma.com/cute-mouse-rat-crafts.html

 

CARE:

• Rodents can be risky for children. If your home has rodents, follow these medically-approved safety tips: https://childrensmd.org/browse-by-topic/safety/rodents-children-medical-risks-mice-rats/
• What should you do if you’re bitten by a mouse? Follow these directions: https://www.healthline.com/health/bit-by-a-mouse
• Rodents may be pests, but they can also be pets (more than just missing an “s”). Here’s how to select a pet rodent – and how to care for it: https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/selecting-pet-rodent

 

CAREERS:

From caring for rodents to ending them, there’s a career for you. You can also research them, photograph or draw them, sell them, or treat others because of them. Dig into these rodent careers.

https://www.pestworld.org/mission-history/careers/

https://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/313/Pest-Control-Worker.html

https://whyy.org/segments/when-your-job-includes-experimenting-on-animals/

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

Sick, man!

It’s back to school for many students, and that can mean a more likely chance to get sick from another person. The activities below discuss diseases and how to prevent or address them. Good health to you!

CONNECT:

• What are germs? Watch this animation about germs and their impact at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3phZfvOFcHE
• What the daily life of an ancient Egyptian doctor at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rvLEJrQm7g
• Be glad you didn’t get sick in the middle ages. Watch medieval treatments such as bleeding and purging  for disease at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ih7HJoB_ZO8
• Did you know that fungi can save your life? The first miracle drug was produced from fungi. Read about this discovery at http://herbarium.usu.edu/fun-with-fungi/penicillin

CREATE:

• Find out what it takes to become a disease detective: http://www.disease-detectives.org/
• One good way to fight disease is to eat healthy. Here are some tips: https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/family-nutrition-guide/healthy-eating-for-whole-family/
• Play these kid games about illness: https://www.healthforkids.co.uk/illness/
• Here are games, puzzles, videos and more to help you learn about managing allergies and asthma. Share this link with your friends so they can learn too! https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/just-for-kids

CARE:

• What are common childhood infections? Examine this check to find out how those diseases are spread and how to deal with them: https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/infectious-diseases-at-glance
• Let's face it—being sick is no fun. Sometimes the best medicine around is showing you care. Here’s how you can help: http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/action/way03.html
• What is rabies? How do you know if an animal has rabies? How do you treat rabies? Get these answers and more at https://www.cdc.gov/rabiesandkids/.
• How were child-proof lids created? Find out at http://mentalfloss.com/article/54410/surprising-origins-child-proof-lids

CAREERS:

Are you curious about diseases and want to help people stay healthy – or be able to cure a disease? You can even specialize in plant diseases. Several careers can help you do well by doing good.

https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/make-a-difference-careers/vaccinations/

http://www.sciencemag.org/features/2006/05/immunology-infectious-disease-healthy-careers

https://www.onlinemastersinpublichealth.com/public-health-jobs/

https://www.apsnet.org/careers/careersinplantpathology/Pages/default.aspx

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