1. Som and Her Friends Learn About Germs [INSERT picture of X and her friends]

2. Som is getting ready for school. She has just been to the toilet and is now washing her face and hands.

3. Som then helps her mother prepare breakfast for the family.

4. Som walks to school with her friends and greets her teacher. Today the lesson is on germs.

5. Som listens to her teacher. She learns that germs are so tiny that you can’t see them. Germs can cause diseases like the flu and spread very easily. Some germs can pass through the air when someone is coughing or sneezing. Germs can also pass from one person to another by touching something that has bad germs and then touching your own nose or mouth.

6. The teacher explains that there are some important things to remember so you don’t catch germs. Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze Cover your mouth when you cough Don’t spit Wash your hands

7. Before having their lunch, the teacher asks: ”What should you do before you eat your lunch?” Som raises her hand and answers: “We should wash our hands with soap and water?”

8. “Why should we wash our hands?” asks the teacher. “Because we are going to eat food and our hands must be clean otherwise we may spread germs” says Prapha. “You have remembered a lot from our lesson on germs and handwashing”, replies the teacher.

9. For the last 2 days Som’s friend Ake has not been at school. Som is worried so she goes to his house on the weekend. Ake’s mother says that Ake is sick and so is his little brother.

10. Why is he sick asks Som. Ake’s mother explains that Ake hardly ever washes his hands. Ake and his brother play in the dirt and with animals and then don’t bother to wash properly afterwards.

11. Som says in the 2 days that Ake was not at school the teacher had explained all about bad germs and how they spread and can make you sick. She says that when Ake is well enough to go back to school that she will explain this to him so that he will also know.

12. Ake’s mother thanks Som and gives her a biscuit to eat. Thank you, I’ll just wash my hands first says Som.