April 30, 2009

Swine Flu: Information for Concerned Parents

At New Hope Preschool, we are monitoring the swine flu situation and if necessary will do our part to combat the disease. For now, it seems that Japan is being spared, but for concerned parents, here is some information and advice. Much of it is general health precautions that we should always be taking. I've taken the liberty of copying straight from the Center for Disease Control. I'm sure they won't mind.

Swine Flu: Information for Concerned Parents and Caregivers
What are the symptoms?
In most children, the symptoms of H1N1 (swine flu) are similar to the symptoms of regular flu. They include:
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Body aches
  • Headache
  • Chills and fatigue
  • Occasionally, vomiting and diarrhea

Young children may not have typical symptoms, but may have difficulty breathing and low activity. Little is known about how H1N1 (swine flu) may affect children. However, we think the infection may be similar to other flu infections. Typically, flu infections cause mild disease in children, but children under 5 years old are more likely to have serious illness than older children. Although rare, severe respiratory illness (pneumonia) and deaths have been reported with flu infections in children. Flu infections tend to be more severe in children with chronic medical conditions.

How to keep from getting it:


Flu viruses spread from person to person mainly through the coughing or sneezing of a sick person. Flu virus may also be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with the virus and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. We think H1N1 (swine flu) spreads the same way as other flu viruses. Right now, there is no vaccine to protect against H1N1 (swine flu), but there are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like H1N1 (swine flu):

  • Teach your children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.
  • Teach your children to cough and sneeze into a tissue or into the inside of their elbow. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.
  • Teach your children to stay at least six feet away from people who are sick.
  • Children who are sick should stay home from school and daycare and stay away from other people until they are better.
  • In communities where H1N1 (swine flu) has occurred, stay away from shopping malls, movie theaters, or other places where there are large groups of people.
What to do if your child is sick:

  • Unless they need medical attention, keep children who are sick at home. Don’t send them to school or daycare.
  • Have them drink a lot of liquid (juice, water, Pedialyte ®).
  • Keep the sick child comfortable. Rest is important.
  • For fever, sore throat, and muscle aches, you can use fever-reducing medicines that your doctor recommends based on your child’s age. Do not use aspirin with children or teenagers; it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a life-threatening illness.
  • If someone in your home is sick, keep him or her away from those who are not sick.
  • Keep tissues close to the sick person and have a trash bag within reach for disposing used tissues.
If your child comes in contact with someone with H1N1 (swine flu), ask your doctor if he or she should receive antiviral medicines to prevent getting sick from H1N1 (swine flu).
If your child experiences any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care:
  • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
  • Bluish or gray skin color
  • Not drinking enough fluids
  • Not waking up or not interacting
  • Being so irritable that he or she does not want to be held
  • Not urinating or no tears when crying
  • Their symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
For more information call 1-800-CDC INFO, or go to http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu

April 24, 2009

April 20-24, 2009

Bible Story: Peter's Rescue (Acts 12:1-17)

Memory Verse: Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. John 14:27

Character Issue: Being a peacemaker

"My World" Topic: Rope

"Rope" Bulletin Board: Click image for details (Thanks Yuki!)

What better way than to put into practice what we learned about ropes than a good, old tug-of-war? We took a big rope to the park and played but I was so excited by the game that I forgot to take pictures. Anyway, the results were one win apiece for boys versus girls. When we played teachers versus students, the teachers were about to lose when two kids from the neighborhood joined and helped us beat the students.

Here are some shots from the park.

The childen found a fallen tree to sit on.

Spring!

Happy Birthday Boys!

Here's a book about a rope that hangs from the sky with a sign that says "Pull for more." A story that warns us to be careful what we wish for because we just might get it. The Rope

April 21, 2009

April 13-17, 2009

Bible Story: Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10)

Memory Verse: It is good and pleasant when God's people live together in peace! Psalm 133:1

Character Issue: Appreciating other cultures

"My World" Topic: Pigs

Here is a pig project we did. First we colored pigs pink, then they played in the mud. Okay, it wasn't really mud--we mixed brown paint and shaving cream, then the children applied it with their fingers. Good tactile fun! (ht)

Click here to shop for recommended children's books about pigs.