Free handwashing training for teachers of young children on offer
PRIMARY school and preschool teachers are being invited to take advantage of free training to explore the importance of educating children about handwashing for their own health and wellbeing.
Experts from De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) are hosting dedicated ‘Germ’s Journey’ workshops for teachers and nursery staff who work in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), as well as providing free educational resources that have been developed as a result of their research.
A Germ’s Journey is the brainchild of DMU’s Microbiologist Dr Katie Laird and education expert Dr Sarah Younie who, as parents themselves, realised there were very little educational resources available about germs and health hygiene.
Through their research they developed a range of freely available learning resources – including an illustrated book featuring special thermochromic black paint. Once the child’s hand is placed upon the paint, the bacteria present appear on the hands in the book and the black paint vanishes.
“With experiential learning at its core, these teacher training sessions have been developed with the aim of increasing confidence and supporting the teaching of germ transmission and handhygiene for EYFS practitioners,” explained Dr Laird.
Teachers who sign up for the free workshops will not only learn about the science behind A Germ’s Journey, they will also get the chance to sample and take away educational activities and resources that have been specifically designed for children up to the age of five – including web-based games, a glo-gel handwashing activity, book reading and a handwashing song.
“We are offering these workshops for teachers to further develop their skills and knowledge in this subject and enhance their professional practice free of charge,” added Dr Younie.
“Our end goal is to teach as many children as possible about A Germ’s Journey and this is a great opportunity for us to meet teachers in Leicestershire and tell them about our work.”
Earlier this year Dr Laird and Dr Younie teamed up with Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum to develop resources for its MiniBrum gallery; a child-sized world designed for young children to explore their understanding of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) through different role-play zones.
The project has also reached as far as India, after Dr Laird and Dr Younie travelled to Ahmedabad to run workshops for youngsters in partnership with charity Manav Sadhna. They have since had their book translated into Gujarati so children can continue learning there.
The ‘train-the-teacher’ workshops will take place from 3.30pm to 5pm on Wednesday 27 November at Sketchley Hill Primary School in Burbage, and on Thursday 28 November at Dovelands Primary School in Leicester.
The first 20 schools, preschools and nurseries to register to attend will each receive a free copy of A Germ’s Journey book.
To book a place at Sketchley Hill Primary School, Burbage, visit www.germsjourneytrainthetrain erworkshopsketchley.eventbrite. co.uk.
To register for the event at Dovelands Primary School, Leicester, visit www.germsjourney trainthetrainerworkshopdovelands.eventbrite.co.uk.
For more information about A Germ’s Journey visit www. germsjourney.com.