This week we’re going to Discover & Explore Community Helpers. After reading today’s post we’d love for you to share your favorite activities and ideas to help kids learn about community helpers. Old posts and news posts are welcome.
This post contains referral links.
Learning About Doctors
Ironically, the week I planned to do activities related to community helpers, we were all sick. I didn’t have to plan anything. We had very authentic ways to learn about one particular helper, our doctor! After three visits to the doctor in one week, I grabbed a few books and we talked a little more about the role doctors play in our community.
Both of the girls are always intrigued by stethoscopes. When I saw a “Make Your Own Stethoscope” experiment in the book, Let’s Meet a Doctor, it looked like an interesting way to learn more about them.
Materials
- Two funnels~We experimented with a few different sizes. Use what you have on hand or can get inexpensively at a store.
- 2 feet of clear plastic tubing that will fit either over or inside the funnel spouts.~I took our funnels to the hardware store and chose the tubing that best fit our funnels, so the size of the tubing will vary.
- Balloons
- Electrical Tape
- Scissors
Steps
1. Snip the end off of the balloon. Pull the balloon over the end of the funnel and secure it with electrical tape. Be sure the balloon is pulled tight and flat.
2. Place both ends of the tubing onto the funnels. Tape the tubing to the funnels if needed to secure the ends.
3. Be sure the room is quiet. Place the balloon end over your heart. Listen in the other end. If the sound is too faint to hear, try running around and getting your heart going. Then listen again. We used a smaller funnel for the listening end, and this helped us hear the sound better than using the larger funnel. The first time the kids hear their heartbeats they are amazed! I was a bit amazed that it worked, too!
4. Of course, you can expect a lot of pretend play and check-ups when your done. Enjoy!
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Shawn Luckadue
Love all the information provided!
Emily
I just made this tonight for my curriculum tomorrow, I work with toddlers. I was skeptical to see if this would really work but I was so amazed!! I cant wait for my kiddos to do the activity tomorrow!!!!
Shaunna Evans
Ha! I was skeptical at first too, Emily! I’m glad you gave it a try, and I hope your toddlers enjoyed it!
Jane
This is a fantastic idea and I’m impressed that it really works. My kids are so hyper and I’m always looking for ways to entertain them. I secretly want them to go into the medical field as well so maybe this will spark some interest? 🙂 I’ll also share this with my mom-groups. Thanks!
Shaunna Evans
I was completely impressed too, Jane! I hope your kids enjoyed the activity–and the gentle medical push. 😉
Dave
This is a really great idea. My wife is a nurse and the kiddos are always asking about her stethoscope and asking to play with it. I bet they will love this!
Daniel Fletcher
This is an excellent activity to introduce kids to the wonderful world of medical professionals. I am going to recommend to teachers i know to try this experiment in their science classes, sounds both fun and educational.
Shaunna Evans
Thank you!
Ticia
What a fun activity, my kids would love it. Thanks for sharing it with Science Sunday!
Anna@The Measured Mom
What a creative idea – I love how happy the kids are in the pictures! Thanks for sharing at After School.
Natalie F
This is a very fun experiment, and I am sure it cheered up your sickies. Thanks for sharing with Afterschool!
Lucinda @ Navigating By Joy
LOL that you were amazed too! I know that feeling 🙂
I love this project. We’ve been doing hydraulics with tubing and balloons and funnels … sounds like we can repurpose our materials very well here!
Shaunna Evans
Yes, I bet you could repurpose those materials. Sounds like you were up to some fun experimenting of your own!
Julie
We tried making a stethoscope last year and it didn’t work out too well. If we every do it again I’ll try this method.
I have a weekly blog hop called Entertaining and Educational and would love it if you linked up.
http://highhillhomeschool.blogspot.com/2013/10/historical-apple-press-entertaining-and.html
Shaunna Evans
We did have to do a little trial and error, but finding the right combo of funnels seemed to do the trick. And when we did hear (and feel the vibration) we are all really amazed that it worked!
Ashley
Adorable stethoscope! I am going to apologize now for all the posts I am about to post here. All our community helpers are in their own posts! Please just let me know or delete if it is too many!
Sarah @ How Wee Learn
My wee ones will LOVE this stethoscope! And my little guy adores animals – so I for see hours of veterinary play! Thank you for the SUPER idea!
Shaunna
Awesome! I think all of the babies, stuffed animals, and living things in our house have now had a proper check up! 🙂