Food Safety Content (Child Appropriate) Food Safety Professional Development for Early Childhood Educators

Food Safety Content (Child Appropriate) Goal –Give you developmentally appropriate explanations for food safety content

What are germs? Germs are tiny living creatures that are everywhere but we cannot see them. Germs are tiny living things that make people sick. Germs are so tiny they can’t be seen without a microscope (which makes things look bigger).

How big is a germ? Give the children size reference information –A pin –An ant –A grain of sand Let them know that a germ is smaller than all those things Demonstrate what a microscope does X  x M  M

Where do germs live? Germs are everywhere! They are on the walls and in the halls. They are on the chairs and on the stairs. They are on toilet seats and on your two feet. They are on your hands and in the sand. They even like food; isn’t that rude? But don’t be scared. Germs can be beat. Just make sure your hands are clean and neat!

How do germs travel? Air Water Skin Food Objects Animals Our bodies Sneezes Coughs Touching Surfaces –Tables –Toys –Doors

Are all germs bad? NO!

Good (Helpful) Vs. Bad (Harmful) Germs Today everyone seems to be afraid of germs. However, many things that we have in the world today actually are made with the help of germs.

Good (Helpful) Germs Good germs will not make you sick. Some germs are good (examples). –Yogurt –Cheese –Medicine

Bad (Harmful) Germs Germs that hurt your body are bad germs. We do not like bad germs because they make us sick. –Tummy aches –Fevers

Why do some germs make us sick? Bad germs are not supposed to be in your body. Your body tries to fight off the germs. –Fever –Throwing up –Tummy aches –Going to the bathroom a lot

How do bad germs get into your body? Through your –Nose: by air or our hands –Mouth: by air, hands, food, water –Eyes: by air and hands –Cuts on the skin: by hands, dirt, air, water –Ears: by air and water

How do I stay safe from bad germs when I eat? Wash your hands (drown the germs!) especially after touching anything dirty. Do not eat food if it is not the right temperature. Keep food on your plate. Do not share food, eating utensils or drinks. Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough near food.

What is clean? Vs. What is dirty? Clean-no visible sign of soil (physical contamination/dirt) Dirty-visibly soiled

When should you wash your hands? When you get to school Before and after eating After using the restroom After playing on the playground After handling pets, pet cages, or other pet objects After blowing your nose After being around someone who is sick Whenever hands look dirty Before going home

How should you wash your hands? WET-hands using warm running water SOAP-lather hands with soap up to elbows RUB-hands together for 20 seconds (Old McDonald) SCRUB-backs of hands, wrists, between fingers, and under fingernails RINSE-hands under warm running water DRY-hands with a clean paper towel WATER OFF-with the paper towel NOT your hand

What other way can I clean my hands? Use hand wipes or sanitizer provided by your parent or teacher

Only eat food if it is the right temperature Hot Cold Room Temperature

Keep food on your plate

Do not share food, eating utensils or drinks

Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough near food

What are food allergies? Food allergies happen when the body thinks a food is bad (harmful). The body tries to fight the food off.

How do you know if you have an allergy? Ask your parents The most common signs are: itchy rash (hives) tingling/itching in the mouth swelling in the tongue and throat problems breathing tummy/stomach aches (abdominal cramps ) throwing up (vomiting ) going to the bathroom a lot (diarrhea ) patches of itchy skin (eczema ) If you have any of these let an adult know immediately!!!

What have you learned so far? What germs are Where germs live How germs travel Why germs make you sick How germs get into your body

What have you learned so far? How you can stay safe from bad germs when you eat What allergies are How to know if you have an allergy

Final Thought: DROWN THE GERMS!!!