Hey there! Today, Squeaks had an interesting experience, and he wants to share it with you. If you notice the bandaid on his hand, it’s because he got a cut that needed stitches. Don’t worry, Squeaks is doing just fine now!
Stitches are used by doctors to help heal big cuts. They use a special thread to tie the two sides of the cut together. Maybe you or someone you know has had stitches before. They’re a great way to help a deep cut heal properly.
If you’ve ever had a small cut, like a papercut, you know it can hurt. But usually, you just need to tell a grownup, wash it, and put a bandaid on. It heals in a day or two. However, deeper cuts might need stitches to heal well.
This morning, Squeaks and I were at the park playing tag. He fell and cut his hand on a rock. The cut was big, so we decided to visit the doctor. We put a bandage on it first to help stop the bleeding.
At the doctor’s office, she said Squeaks needed a few stitches. Stitches help keep the cut closed, making it easier for the body to heal. They also keep germs out, preventing infection.
First, the doctor cleaned the cut to remove germs. Then, she gave Squeaks a quick shot near the cut. This shot had medicine to numb his skin, so he wouldn’t feel the stitches. Squeaks said the shot didn’t hurt!
The doctor used a needle and thread to stitch up the cut. Squeaks was a bit worried, but the numbing medicine worked well, and he didn’t feel any pain. Sometimes, people feel a little pulling, but it doesn’t hurt.
The stitches only took a couple of minutes. Afterward, Squeaks got a bandaid to keep the stitches clean and protected. We’ll return to the doctor in a few weeks to have them removed. It’s a simple process where they cut the thread, and the stitches fall out.
Some stitches dissolve on their own, but not the kind Squeaks got. Now that we’re home, we’ll do a fun indoor project so Squeaks’ hand can rest. Thanks for joining us! If you want to keep learning and having fun with Squeaks and me, hit the red subscribe button, and we’ll see you next time!
Stitching Practice with Yarn: Let’s pretend to be doctors! Use a piece of cardboard and punch holes in a straight line to mimic a cut. Give each child a piece of yarn and a plastic needle. Encourage them to “stitch” the cardboard by threading the yarn through the holes. This activity helps them understand how stitches work to hold a cut together.
Bandage Art: Create a fun art project using colorful band-aids. Ask the children to make a picture or pattern using the band-aids on a piece of paper. While they create, discuss how band-aids help protect small cuts and how stitches are like special band-aids for bigger cuts.
Question Time: Ask the children to think about and answer these questions: “Why do you think it’s important to keep a cut clean?” and “What would happen if we didn’t use stitches for big cuts?” Encourage them to share their thoughts and relate them to their own experiences with cuts and healing.
