The write start - Jennifer Hallissy 2010

What’s Up Doc?
Guidelines for the Activities

KIDS LOVE TO PLAY DOCTOR. Helping someone to feel better, whether your patient is a pretending parent or an injured stuffed animal, is empowering. Plus, it’s good to be on the other side of the exam table for once. Calling the shots, so to speak.

You may want to point out to your kids that doctors do more than listen to heartbeats, test reflexes, and say, “Open up and say, ’Aaah.’” They also write in patient charts, write prescriptions, and write down care instructions. Mini physicians can do the same when they play doctor. I know every time I get a prescription for “Take two hugs and kisses and call me in the morning,” I can’t help but feel all better. It’s a miracle cure!

MATERIALS

∗ blank paper or copies of a medical chart template (see “Medical Chart” in the templates section)

∗ manila folder

∗ stapler

∗ flip-top pad or copies of a prescription template (see “Prescription” in the templates section)

∗ scissors

∗ alphabet stickers or stampers with an ink pad

∗ large piece of paper

∗ paper strips (for hospital bracelets)

∗ tape

∗ doctor kit (optional)

∗ doctor dress-up: scrubs, lab coat, mask, rubber gloves (optional)

HOW-TO

1. Help kids make a medical chart by placing a few pages of blank paper (or copies of “Medical Chart” template) inside a manila file folder, on the right-hand side. Attach the paper using two or three staples along the top edge.

2. Copy and cut out several copies of the prescription template. Turn them into a small pad by stapling them together at the top.

3. Set up doctor’s office props and find some patients to examine (friends, siblings, parents, and stuffed animals can usually use some medical care).

4. Encourage your children to observe and examine patients and write their findings and recommendations.

Variations

For Scribblers: Scribblers can create an eye chart for their pretend doctor’s office by using fine motor-friendly alphabet stickers or stampers to make letters on a large piece of paper. And while pretending to test vision, they are getting a lesson in letter identification as well.

For Spellers: In addition to writing simple prescriptions, Spellers enjoy making hospital bracelets by writing patient names on thin strips of paper, and then attaching them to their patients’ wrists with a piece of tape.

For Storytellers: Storytellers can record basic patient information in a chart, such as height and weight, complaints, and doctor recommendations.

For Scholars: Premed students (I mean Scholars) can record more technical information, such as temperature (expressed in degrees), heartbeat (how many beats per minute, or BPM), and blood pressure (written as a ratio, such as 110/80).