Stay Safe & Healthy with Needles The Echidna

Stay safe & healthy with Needles the Echidna

Written by Sharomi Dayanand illustrations by Emma Hay

a SPECIAL NOTE FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS Stay safe and healthy with Needles the Echidna is a guide that encourages parents, caregivers and teachers to talk about the importance of safety in regards to viruses and diseases. This information is to be presented as part of class discussion or in the home or other safe environment by a parent, caregiver or teacher alongside a child or a small group of children. The booklet aims to provide ways for children to voice their concerns and understand how to stay safe and healthy.

Copyright Š Wagga Wagga City Council First published 2020 Published by Wagga Wagga City Council PO Box 20, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales 2650 Phone: 1300 292 442 www.wagga.nsw.gov.au All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the owner. For permission requests please contact Wagga Wagga City Council on the above details.

Original illustrations by Emma Hay Written by Sharomi Dayanand, Wagga Wagga City Council Supported by Riverina Regional Library and NSW Department of Education employees in addition to educators.

Printed by Chambers Whyte Design & Print, Wagga Wagga

Stay safe & healthy with Needles the Echidna Written by Sharomi Dayanand illustrations by Emma Hay

1

Needles the Echidna had invited some friends to join him online.

Nandi, Min, Noah, Ravi, Tara and Kirra couldn’t wait!

Needles had the answers to their important questions.

“Hello, it’s great to see you,” he greeted his friends.

2

3

“Hello, Needles!” the children cheered.

“I love your burrow,” Min said. “Where do the coloured doors lead?”

“They are magic doors,” Needles explained.

“They reveal places where we can learn lots of interesting things.”

Noah’s eyes widened.

“Can they help us learn about the virus everyone is talking about?”

“They sure can,” Needles said.

4

“I’ve heard grown-ups talking about the virus,” Ravi said.

“I don’t understand what’s going on, but they seem a bit worried.”

Needles nodded. “Yes, Ravi,” he began.

“There’s a new virus that’s making people sick.

We need to be careful, but there’s no need to feel worried or scared.”

5

6

“A virus is a tiny little germ, so tiny we can’t see it with our eyes,” Needles explained, opening the green door wider.

“Colds and flus are also caused by viruses.”

“Mum said that viruses can spread when sick people cough and sneeze,” shared Tara.

7

“That’s right, Tara,” Needles said.

“When a sick person coughs or sneezes, the virus travels with the droplets.

When you breathe the droplets in or touch them on a surface, you can catch the virus too.”

8

Kirra gasped.

“Oh! Is that why people are keeping their distance from others, even friends and family?”

“You’ve got it!” Needles said with a nod.

“The virus can feel like a cold or flu at first. People can get a cough, fever or a sore and scratchy throat. Some people can have trouble breathing.

That’s when nurses and doctors in hospitals can help.”

9

“So how do we stay safe and stop the virus from making people sick?” Ravi asked.

Needles flashed him a reassuring smile.

“There are some simple things we can all do,” he explained.

“If we put these into practice, we’ll help to keep everyone safe and healthy.

Let me show you.”

10

1.

Keep a safe distance from others.

“Have you heard of social distancing?” Needles asked his friends.

“Yes!” the children replied.

“But I don’t understand it,” stated Nandi with a sheepish grin.

“Social distancing keeps us all at least one and a half metres away from each other,” Needles said.

“That way the virus has less chance of being passed from one person to another.”

11

Like a helicopter!

“So if someone gets too close to you, it’s okay to move away or ask them to please keep their distance,” Needles added.

“It’s all about keeping everyone safe.”

12

2.

Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue.

“When you cough or sneeze, it’s best to bring your elbow to your mouth, so you don’t get germs on your hands.”

Needles opened the purple door.

“If you use a tissue, put it in the bin right away and wash your hands,” he reminded his friends.

13

14

3.

Wash your hands often with soap and water.

“Don’t forget, washing your hands for 20 seconds will keep bad bugs like viruses away,” Needles said, opening the yellow door.

“Whenever you cough, sneeze, touch your face or use the toilet, remember to wash your hands afterwards. It’s also important to wash before you touch any food, and before you eat or drink.”

Min grinned. “You can sing or hum the ‘Happy Birthday’ song from beginning to end twice while soaping your hands if you’re not sure how long to wash for.”

15

16

4.

Try not to touch your face.

“Germs from your hands can enter your body through your mouth, nose and eyes,” Needles explained.

17

5.

Make sure surfaces are clean. “Things that people touch a lot like desks, door handles, computers and phones should be cleaned often,� Needles said.

18

6.

Stay home if you’re unwell.

“When I felt sick and had to stay home I missed all my friends,” Tara said.

“But Mum let me use her phone to call them.”

“That’s a great idea!” Needles said with a smile. “It’s important to stay in touch with family and friends, and Tara’s mum found a way.”

19

Ravi sighed.

“So many things have changed because of the virus,” he said.

“It feels weird.”

“Change can feel weird, but it’s not always bad,” Needles reassured him.

“Some changes are for the better.

We can learn new ways to do the things we enjoy.”

“I think Pop and I did that,” Ravi said. “We used to love shaking hands, but now we put our hands together like we’re saying ‘Namaste’ or we wave.”

20

1.5m

Tara nodded in agreement.

“I love to hug Nan, but when I’m not feeling well, I throw her a hug and a kiss instead.

Nan catches it every time, although once she nearly dropped it!” she added with a giggle.

All the children laughed.

“Well done,” Needles said. “Those are some really good ideas.”

21

Just then, Needles’ face froze on the screen!

Everything went blank.

Noah burst into tears.

“I had an important question and now I’ll never know the answer.”

“Don’t worry, Noah,” his friends reassured him.

“Needles will be back.”

Sure enough, Needles returned on their screens after a few seconds.

“Sorry, technical problems,” Needles said with a laugh.

22

Noah looked worried.

“Needles, my aunty is sick. Is she going to be okay?”

“Some people get very sick, but our doctors, nurses and health workers are the best,” Needles comforted him.

“They work hard and take good care of people.”

“They’re heroes!” Nandi cheered.

Everyone agreed.

23

“How can we help the doctors and nurses?”

Min asked.

“That’s a great question,” Needles said.

“If you stay safe by keeping your distance and practise being fit and healthy, you’re less likely to get sick and spread the virus.”

24

Kirra looked confused.

“You’ve shown us how to stay safe, but how do we stay fit and healthy?” she asked.

“Good thinking, Kirra,” Needles said.

“Everyone should aim to get a good night’s sleep, do regular exercise, drink plenty of water, eat healthy food and make time each day to relax, play and do the things they enjoy.”

25

“That makes sense,” Ravi said.

“If we take care of ourselves then there’s no need to worry about getting sick.”

“Exactly!” Needles grinned.

“Now, who’s going to try hard to stay safe and healthy?”

“I am!” the children shouted with glee.

26

27

Needles clapped his hands.

“This calls for an online party!” he said.

“Let’s eat our snacks and celebrate.”

“Yippee!” said the children, opening up their lunch boxes.

“Your sushi rolls look good, Min,” said Needles.

“And so does your fruit, Nandi.

You all have snacks that are healthy and delicious.”

“What are you eating, Needles?” asked Tara.

28

Needles smiled and licked his lips.

“Ants,” he said. “Yum!” 29

a guide that encourages parents, caregivers and teachers to talk about the importance of safety in regards to viruses and diseases.