How to Teach Kids About Good & Bad Bacteria
These days bacteria -- good and bad -- is in the news a lot, and it's being discussed in everything from nutrition, to health care, to food preparation. With all of that buzz, you might be wondering how to teach your kids to tell the difference between the so-called "good" bacteria and harmful germs. After all, when most of us were growing up we were just taught that bacteria was something to avoid. Here are a few suggestions.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Bacteria: It's Not All Bad
-
1
Encourage your kids to get grubby outside -- as long as they clean up afterwards! Some research has indicated that children are growing up in a much more sterile environment than their parents did, which may be contributing to increased rates of asthma and eczema, among other things. If you want your kids to grow up knowing that not all bacteria are bad, let them discover for themselves the fun of playing outdoors.
-
2
Talk to your kids at the supermarket. It can be a great education for children to know where foods come from, how to make and keep a food budget, and how to make nutritional choices. When you're in the dairy section, that's the perfect time to talk about good ("yummy") bacteria. Likewise, share with your kids that being an informed consumer of meat and fish includes knowing how to prepare those foods safely.
-
-
3
Avoid antibiotic products at home. Not only is there no evidence that these products actually work to reduce infections, but they send the wrong message about bacteria in the environment, one of hyper-vigilance rather than common sense. Instead, teach your kids good hand washing habits with plain old soap and water.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
In the end, teaching kids that there is such a thing as good bacteria is about changing the attitude many of us grew up with. Our bodies rely on many helpful bacteria to aid in important functions. The trust we place in our bodies and our environment is a part of being healthy.
