Talking to 7-9 year old's about being a doctor

[Hallloumi]

I've been asked (and possibly stupidly agreed) to talk to Year 3 and 4 in my daughter's school about being a doctor. The school are wanting to promote science and science based careers. So I wonder if anyone had any advice about what their children of this age would find interesting- I'm thinking practical stuff like trying out some stethoscopes, tendon hammers and maybe taking each other's pulses?

Will they have learnt about their hearts/lungs etc? (my own daughter is younger)
Thanks

Can you watch an episode of 'Operation Ouch' which is shown on CBBC (maybe on iPlayer)? This is aimed at that age group and my DC are massive fans. I mean for your research not to show the children!
The hands on stuff you mentioned is perfect.

I worked with a charity called Teddy Bear Hospital when I was at university. The aim was to make children less frightened of hospital.

It started with “who works in a hospital? What do they do?” Then moved onto body parts. We had an apron thing with organs that could be stuck on. “Anatomy apron” throws up a few results.

The second half is that they’d all bring in their teddies and we’d go around and “consult” with them. 99% of the time teddy had a broken leg from falling off a trampoline so needed a bandage.

The most heart breaking thing was when we asked the “what do doctors and nurses do?” to a class - we knew there was a child there who in remission from leukaemia. She said “they put cannulas in.”

The good thing is most of them will have met a Dr and experienced seeing a Dr because they are ill. Perhaps you could talk about what we do to stay healthy eg hand washing, eating vegetables etc

I take science activities into schools & do careers fairs for a STEM field. Yes to having plenty of practical elements. Plan to break up your talk with these. Can you get some disposable gloves & masks too?

They will know v little about heart & lungs as circulation is a y6 topic.

Plan clearly in your head what instructions they will need, including the Don'ts as well as the Dos! Don't be afraid to ask the teacher to help you. Eg many will struggle to get the stethoscope on the correct side. I usually say that it's between the bottom of the buttons on the polo shirt and the school badge on most uniforms.

Do be clear about why you became a doctor & what you love about it. What subjects you needed. Include related healthcare jobs too that use different skills so that everyone feels included.

Allow plenty of time for Qs and expect many to actually be anecdotes!

And enjoy it!

Definitely props! I'm in the veterinary field and have done a few school talks. I took masks/gowns/gloves and let the kids 'scrub', stuffed animals and bandages, stethoscopes, pulse ox, that sort of thing. Pretend urine using food dye with dipsticks and pipettes maybe? Or a PowerPoint with pictures, nothing gruesome though! Recently did one at a nursery, so funny, nothing can prepare you for the utterly insane questions that age group come out with . Think my DS started getting anatomy lessons aged around 7 but I guess it will vary between schools.

I got a load of pictures off google and talked about them:

• funny xrays (mobile phones in pocket etc)
• picture of Edward Jenner and smallpox
• picture of healthy and smoke damaged lungs

-picture of a healthy TM and one with OM - which one is abnormal? ditto healthy throat and purulent tonsils

etc etc