Germs and kids - a fun way of spreading important message
THE importance of hand hygiene has been amplified in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, but getting youngsters to understand why we need to wash away germs can still be a difficult task.
To help parents, teachers and healthcare workers educate young children about handwashing in relation to viruses such as Covid-19, expert researchers at De Montfort University (DMU) have partnered with Medina Publishing to produce a new e-book explaining how germs spread.
Titled Bye-Bye Germs: Be a Handwashing Superhero and illustrated by Jules Marinner, the book is the latest release in the Germ’s Journey series by microbiologist Dr Katie Laird and education specialist Professor Sarah Younie.
The series seeks to raise awareness and communicate the importance of handwashing at a young age.
“Because they cannot see germs, children often don’t understand the need to wash their hands,” said Dr Laird, who is also head of DMU’s infectious disease research group.
“Since the outbreak of Covid-19, we have all been told how important it is to wash our hands properly and regularly to prevent the virus spreading, but explaining to children the reasons why is equally as important.
“We have developed Bye-Bye Germs to teach children about hand hygiene and help them identify where viruses can be contracted and ways to prevent the spread.”
The new e-book, which is being made freely available for a limited launch period for parents and schools in Leicester, tells the story of siblings Jess and Joe, who are on a mission to stop germs spreading after a tickle in Jess’ throat turns into a giant cough and sneeze.
It also includes top tips for how families can prevent the spread at home, a picture guide on how to wash hands properly and a “spot the germs” illustration, to help youngsters identify where viruses can be picked up.
“Bye-Bye Germs is a relevant, upto-date resource specifically produced to help educate early years children about how germs spread and why we need to wash our hands to prevent viruses like of coronavirus,” said Professor Younie, professor in education, innovation and technology.
“We have combined our multi-disciplinary knowledge to produce an educational resource that helps children to easily digest the science behind the story.”
Medina Publishing is distributing the e-book to primary schools across Leicester, as well as the Isle of Wight, where the publisher is based. The book will be launched nationally by the end of June.
A print edition of Bye-Bye Germs will be available shortly, ready for the new school term.
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Medina Publishing are also planning to translate the book into other languages.
“We want to reach as many children as we can,” said Dr Laird.
“Handwashing has been at the forefront of prevention in the coronavirus pandemic, so it has never been more topical and important to get children talking about how viruses spread and where they can be picked up.”