Hey there! Today, we’re going to learn all about something called germs. Are you curious or maybe a little scared? Don’t worry! We’re here to explain what germs are, how they spread, and how you can stay healthy.
Let’s meet Susie. Susie can’t stop sneezing, her nose is runny, and her eyes are watery. She also has a fever. Can you guess what’s wrong? If you said Susie is sick, you’re right! Susie has a cold, which is caused by a type of germ called a virus. But don’t worry! With some medicine, soup, and rest, Susie will feel better soon.
Germs are tiny living things that are all around us. You can’t see them with your eyes unless you use a microscope. Some germs can make you sick, but others can actually be good for you!
There are four types of germs: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Let’s learn about each one.
Bacteria are tiny, one-celled creatures that can live inside and outside your body. Some bacteria can make you sick, causing things like ear infections and sore throats. But did you know some bacteria are good? They help your body get nutrients from food. Yogurt is full of good bacteria!
Viruses need to live inside a cell to survive. They can make you sick by multiplying inside your body. Diseases like chickenpox and the flu are caused by viruses. Vaccines, which are shots from your doctor, can help prevent these diseases.
Fungi are like tiny plants made of many cells. They can live on plants, animals, and people. Some fungi can cause infections like athlete’s foot, but many are harmless.
Protozoa are single-celled organisms that like to live in water. They can cause stomach bugs if you drink unsafe water.
Germs can spread through the air when someone sneezes or coughs. They can also spread by touching things or people. Here are some tips to stay healthy:
Let’s see what you remember:
Great job, germ experts! Remember, everyone gets sick sometimes, but by doing your part to stop the spread of germs, you can help keep yourself and others healthy. Thanks for learning with us!
Germ Detective: Become a germ detective at home! Use a magnifying glass to explore different surfaces like doorknobs, tables, and toys. While you won’t see germs, think about where they might be hiding. Discuss with a family member which places might have the most germs and why. Afterward, practice washing your hands together and talk about how this helps remove germs.
Germ Spread Experiment: Let’s see how germs can spread! Sprinkle a little glitter on your hands. Pretend the glitter is germs. Now, shake hands with someone or touch different objects like a toy or a book. Observe how the “germs” spread. Discuss how washing hands can help stop this spread. Try washing the glitter off your hands to see how clean they get!
Healthy Habits Chart: Create a weekly chart to track healthy habits that help fight germs. Include activities like washing hands, eating fruits and vegetables, getting enough sleep, and exercising. Each day, put a sticker or draw a smiley face next to the habits you completed. At the end of the week, see how many healthy habits you practiced!
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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What are germs? For kids, today we are going to talk all about a little something called germs. Curious? Scared? Well, never fear! We are here to talk about what germs are, how they are spread, and what you can do to stay as healthy as possible.
Let’s get started!
Everyone meet Susie. Susie has not been able to stop sneezing, her nose is runny, and her eyes are watering. She also has a fever. Can you guess what is wrong? If you said that Susie is sick, you’re right! Susie has a cold, which comes from a certain type of germ called a virus. But do not worry! With some medicine, soup, and rest, Susie will be feeling much better soon.
It is important to understand the reasons why we get sick, so let’s talk about germs.
What are germs? Germs are all around us and are so tiny that the only way you can see one with your eyes is through a microscope. Like other living things, germs can grow and multiply quickly. Some germs can be contagious, which means that they can be spread from person to person, but other germs can actually be helpful to your body and to your health.
There are four different types of germs: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. We are going to talk about each one starting now.
**Bacteria:** Bacteria love to live on the outside and inside of your body. In fact, they like it so much they never want to leave! Bacteria are made up of just one cell, which does not seem that huge, but they can still make you sick. These germs can cause things like ear infections, sore throats, pneumonia, and even cavities. Sometimes, if you are sick from an infection caused by bacteria, your doctor may give you an antibiotic, which helps fight these specific kinds of germs. One of the most common antibiotics is called penicillin. Did you know that bacteria can be good too? Good bacteria live in your intestines and help your body get the nutrients it needs from the food you eat. Here’s an interesting fact: yogurt is full of good bacteria! This kind of germ is also used to make medicines in vaccines, which help keep your body healthy and safe. Pretty cool, right?
**Viruses:** Viruses are germs that need to be inside a living cell or host in order to survive. Since your body has millions of cells, viruses have lots of possible places to live. Once they get inside a cell, they begin to multiply, which is what makes you sick. Examples of viruses include chickenpox, measles, influenza, and coronavirus. Even though viruses can seem scary, there are special kinds of medicines that have been created to help fight or prevent them altogether. These are called vaccines or immunizations, which are usually given to you by your doctor in the form of a shot. Because of vaccines, diseases like measles and chickenpox have become more and more rare. Depending on the virus, you may need more than one vaccine, like a flu shot you get once a year.
**Fungi:** Fungi are like plants and are made up of lots of cells. They can live by feeding off of other plants, people, or animals. Fungi like to live in warm and wet places, like in between a person’s toes. Ever heard of the word fungus before? Here’s an interesting fact: a fungus is one single organism. Sometimes fungal infections can spread from person to person or even from plant to plant. Many fungi are pretty harmless, though, and will not cause problems for healthy people. Some examples of different fungi are athlete’s foot and some types of skin infections and rashes.
**Protozoa:** Last but not least are protozoa. Like bacteria and viruses, protozoa are single-celled organisms, and like fungi, they like to live in wet places. Many protozoa live in the water, which is how they spread disease and infections. Water that is unsafe to drink probably has protozoa living in it. Stomach bugs, diarrhea, and nausea can all be caused by protozoa.
That was a lot of germ talk, and maybe you’re feeling a little overwhelmed or unsure of what you can do to help stop the spread of germs. Here are some tips to help you stay healthy:
Most types of germs can be spread through the air when a person sneezes, coughs, or breathes. Sweat, saliva, or spit, and blood can also spread germs. It can also be spread by touching things or other people, like a high five or a handshake, which is why hand washing is super important.
One of the best ways to stop the spread of germs is by washing your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Make sure you rub both the fronts and backs of your hands, in between your fingers, and under your fingernails and around your wrists. Try singing or humming the “Happy Birthday” song while you’re washing your hands; this will help you make sure you do it for 20 seconds.
It is also important to wash your hands every time you cough or sneeze, before you eat or make meals, before you touch your face, and after using the bathroom, playing outside, touching pets, or visiting someone who was sick. When you do cough or sneeze, try to do it in your elbow or in a tissue to keep the germs from getting on your hands.
Another way to stop the spread of germs is to wear a mask when you are feeling sick or if you know you are going to be around someone who gets sick easily. Eating healthy foods, exercising your body, and getting a good night’s sleep can also help.
Like we mentioned earlier, other germs can be stopped when you get a shot from your doctor. These vaccines help your body recognize a germ and then battle against it.
Okay, we have learned a lot about germs, and now it is time to see what you remember!
True or false: Good bacteria help your body stay healthy. (True)
Fill in the blank: _______ are the only kind of germ that are made up of more than one cell. (Fungi)
What is the shot called you get from your doctor to help prevent some diseases? (Vaccine or immunization)
Great job, germ experts! At some point in time, your body will get sick. Most people get sick multiple times throughout their lives, but if you do your part to help stop the spread, you will not get sick as often and will help protect others in your community from getting sick. When we take care of our bodies and work together, we can help each other stay healthy and safe.
Hope you had fun learning with us! Visit us at learnbrite.org for thousands of free resources and turnkey solutions for teachers and homeschoolers.
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