How to Teach a Child to Avoid Harmful Substances

Seeing the effects of soda on an egg shell, beer on a growing plant or smoke on a clean cloth creates memorable impressions that far outlast conversation on the subject. These simple home experiments can demonstrate graphically some of the reasons for avoiding substances that do not promote good health.

Things You'll Need

• Cigarette and match
• White cloth or tissue
• Identical growing plants
• Can of beer
• Can of soda
• Egg

Instructions

1. Choose two inexpensive house plants that are the same size or grow them from seeds such as beans. Be sure both plants have the same soil and sunlight available to them.

2. Help the child to water one of the plants with water, and the other with the same amount of beer over a period of several days.

3. With the child, compare your plants each day for rate of growth and appearance. Discuss any differences you observe in regard to beer being a harmful substance.

4. 

   Effect of Soda on Egg Shell

   Explain that egg shells are made of the same material as human teeth, only thinner. Break the egg and rinse and dry the pieces of shell and drop them into a cup of soda.

5. Wait a week and check to see the effects of the soda on the egg shell. Has the color changed? Is it as strong as it was when you put it in the container of soda? What do you think about the effect of soda on your teeth?

6. 

   Smoke in the Air

   Light a cigarette and blow smoke from it onto a clean white cloth or tissue. Discuss where the smoke goes when there is no cloth or tissue to catch it. What do you think happens inside the bodies of smokers?

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful not to draw conclusions for your child/scientist. Allow the child to observe and express observations and conclusions to you.

References

• 8 Reasons Why People Drink Soda and 16 Reasons to Quit
• Lesson Plan about Smoking

Resources

• Talking to Your child About Smoking