Medicine Background Information for Teachers and Parents
This page contains information to support educators and families in teaching K-3 students about medicine. The information is designed to complement the BrainPOP Jr. movie Medicine. It explains the type of content covered in the movie, provides ideas for how teachers and parents can develop related understandings, and suggests how other BrainPOP Jr. resources can be used to scaffold and extend student learning.
Medicine comes in many different forms and they can be overwhelming or frightening to children, especially when they are feeling ill. Doctors and medicine have negative connotations to many children, but by learning how medicines work and help, children will feel more comfortable about taking medication and telling adults when they feel sick.
A medicine is an agent, often a drug, that helps treat an illness or injury to the body, or relieve a symptom of the illness. A symptom is a sign of illness, such as fever, runny nose, coughing, aching, sore throat, and nausea. Explain that a fever is an increase in body temperature and is a natural way that the body fights sickness. However, a fever can make a person feel tired and uncomfortable. Medicine can help relieve these symptoms and help the body heal, but it’s important that children accompany medicine with plenty of rest.
Medicine can come in different forms including pills, tablets, caplets, syrups, ointments, inhalers, injections, and drops. The body absorbs the forms differently and at varying rates. A doctor or nurse practitioner can help assess the needs of a sick person and recommend the right medicine in the appropriate form. Parents can consult pharmacists for over-the-counter medicines that do not require a doctor’s prescription and can help minor illnesses.
A vaccine is an injection that is administered to a healthy person in order to prevent a serious illness in the future. Most students have had vaccines, or immunizations, that are required by law to prevent many serious infectious diseases, such as mumps, rubella, and measles. Many students have had vaccines, or immunizations, against mumps, rubella, and measles. These are serious infectious diseases that can be avoided. Though injections may be scary for many children, explain that they are quick and relatively painless compared to falling off a bike, skinning a knee, or other common injury. Vaccines are important because the diseases they prevent are serious and potentially life-threatening. Parents who are concerned about possible negative side effects from vaccines should talk with their health care provider.
Safety is an important issue when discussing medicine. Remind students that they should never share their medications. Doctors prescribe medication based on the patient’s age, size, and symptoms. A medication that is right for one person may not be right for another and can cause serious problems. Furthermore, sharing medication increases risks for allergic reactions. We recommend watching the Allergies movie together as a review. Some medicines may look and taste like candy, and it is crucial for children to understand that they are still medicine. Taking too much can make a person feel even worse, or cause serious harm.
In addition, children should always read and follow directions together with their parents when they take medication. Different medicines should be taken at different frequencies: some only once a day and others two, three or even four times a day. For children who have an ongoing or chronic illness, their medicines may need to be taken every day, while for passing illnesses like headaches or ear infections medicine should only be taken when the child is feeling sick. Some medicines should be taken on an empty stomach, while others should be taken with meals. Children should follow directions so that the medication can be effective and help the body heal. Medicines such as antibiotics kill bacteria and must be taken around the same time each day in order for them to be the most successful. Even when they feel better after taking medication, students should finish all of the medication. The body is still fighting off sickness even if they do not show symptoms.
Explain to your children that they should be responsible for their own health by asking questions to their doctor or pharmacist, like “Is it O.K. to be out in the sun while taking this medicine?” or “How will I feel after I take the medicine? Are there side effects?” Side effects are symptoms that arise from taking medicine. Common side effects include dizziness, fatigue, and nausea. Occasionally allergic reactions can develop after taking medication. If children feel worse than before, or if they develop high temperatures or rashes, they should tell an adult immediately. Emphasize that communication is important; no one knows their bodies better than themselves. If they are bringing any medicine to school, place the medicine in a clear sealed bag along with clear instructions and instruct your child to alert their teacher immediately when they enter the classroom. Most schools have policies in place where the child will take their medication under the supervision of the school nurse. By describing their symptoms and being honest, doctors, nurses, teachers and parents can help them feel better.
