The Captain’s Corner – Doctors in Training
1 July, 2023
Doctors can be both a source of fascination and fear for kids. Our daughter loves playing “doctor” with her stuffed animals and she’s maybe a little too obsessed with her boo-boos. But, actually going to the doctor, that can be a little intimidating. So, using the power of storytelling and relatable characters, this month is all about empowering little ones to know what to expect at the doctors, learn about their bodies, and even don the stethoscope themselves.
At StoryCaptain, we’re all about a healthy dose of adventure, and with our Doctors in Training month, we’re expanding our horizons into exploring experiences and careers. And to take the adventure even further, check out the following activities that you and your little one can try to make the world of medicine really come to life.
Boost Their Creativity
Bring this month’s activity guide to life with these craft activities for the WobbleCaptain and CuriousCaptain clubs.
Pretend Play (WobbleCaptain)
Supplies: Stuffed animals or baby dolls, play doctor’s kit (optional)
Steps:
- Gather your stuffed animals or baby dolls and create a pretend doctor’s office setting.
- Decide who will be the doctor and who will be the patient. Encourage your child to take turns playing both roles, allowing them to experience being the caregiver and the one receiving care.
- Start the pretend play by having the doctor do the check-up or treatment.
Tips for engagement: This is a great activity to prepare for the next doctor’s visit. Discuss with your child the reasoning behind treatments, procedures, and shots. It’s also a great time to discuss with your child about their feelings and questions regarding doctor visits.
Paper Bag Lungs (CuriousCaptain)
Supplies: Two paper bags (or balloons), straws, markers
Steps:
- Begin by decorating the paper bags to resemble lungs. (Optional)
- Insert a straw into the opening of each bag and use your hand to seal the opening around the straw. Make sure the seal is tight to prevent air from escaping.
- Have your child blow into the bags while observing how they expand and have them suck the air out of the bags, noticing how they shrink back down. This is similar to how our lungs fill with air when we breathe in and deflate when we breathe out.
Tips for Engagement: Discuss how the bags expanding and contracting mimic our chest and tummy movements when we breathe. Encourage your child to place a hand on their chest and feel the rise and fall as they blow into the bag.
Body Tracing
Supplies: Large sheet of paper, crayons or markers
Steps:
- Start by having your child lie on the paper and trace their outline. Make it fun by letting them strike a pose or make a silly face while you trace around them.
- After the outline is complete, encourage your child to draw, color, and label different body parts on their outline. Below is a list of body parts to include.
- Let your child use their imagination to embellish their body outline. They can add clothes, draw a background, or even turn their body into a superhero.
Tips for Engagement: Discuss with your child the function and significance of each body part. For example, “What do we use our hands for?” or “Why do we have ears? What can we hear with them?”
Body Parts to Label
Head: Hair, eyes, nose, mouth, ears
Upper body: Neck, shoulders, chest, arms, elbows, and hands
Lower body: Stomach, waist, legs, knees, feet, and toes
