Hey there! Today, we’re talking about sneezing. Have you ever wondered why we sneeze? Let’s find out!
Sneezing can happen for many reasons. Sometimes, it’s because of dust, pollen from flowers, or even pepper. Other times, it’s because we’re sick with a cold. All these things can make our noses feel tickly and irritated.
Inside our noses, there are tiny hairs and sticky mucus. These work together to catch small particles in the air we breathe, like dust or pollen. When these particles irritate our noses, a signal is sent to our brain saying, “It’s time to sneeze!”
When we sneeze, we take a big breath, our muscles squeeze, our eyes close, and then air blasts out of our nose and mouth with a loud “Achoo!” This helps clear out all the irritating stuff from our noses.
Did you know that sneezes can send air flying out of our noses at over 100 kilometers per hour? That’s as fast as some racecars! Sneezing is a reflex, which means our bodies do it automatically, like blinking or coughing.
Sneezing helps keep us healthy by getting rid of particles and germs that could make us sick. It also smooths out the tiny hairs in our noses and spreads fresh mucus to catch more particles.
When we sneeze, it’s important to cover it up because sneezes can spread germs. If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze into your elbow. And always remember to wash your hands with soap and water afterward!
So, sneeze safely and stay healthy! Thanks for learning with us. If you have questions about your body or anything else, ask a grown-up to help you leave a comment or send an email to [email protected]!
Sneeze Detective: Become a sneeze detective by observing what makes you or your family members sneeze. Keep a small notebook and write down when someone sneezes and what might have caused it. Was it dust, a tickle in the nose, or something else? Share your findings with your class or family and see if there are any common causes!
Build a Nose Model: Create a simple model of a nose using a cardboard box, some cotton balls, and string. Use the cotton balls to represent the tiny hairs and sticky mucus inside our noses. Sprinkle some glitter or small paper bits to act as dust or pollen. Blow gently into the box and watch how the “hairs” catch the particles. Discuss how this is similar to what happens in our real noses.
Sneeze Safety Practice: Practice sneezing safely with your friends or family. Pretend to sneeze and make sure to cover your mouth and nose with your elbow. Then, practice washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Talk about why it’s important to cover sneezes and wash hands to keep everyone healthy.
