Have you been to the hospital recently or will be going to the hospital soon? Don’t worry, I have been to the hospital too! There are many things at the hospital that are confusing and sometimes there is no one to explain these things to us. With this activity, we are going to print pictures to create a book that will help prepare you for your hospital visit and help you understand what will be there. If you have been to the hospital before, this activity will help you personalize your book for the specific things that you saw when there.
Supplies:
Construction paper
(Tip: Thin paper is easier to staple)
Stapler
Markers/Pens/Pencils (Tip: Using a pen or pencil is better for the pages inside the book and using a marker for the cover page and page on the back of the book is better)
Activity Steps:
Step 1: First, we will create the book. First, get as many sheets of construction paper as you would like to create the book. I am going to use ten sheets of construction paper so that I can go back and add more things later. Then, stack the papers and hold all of them the wide way. Next, fold the left side of the sheets over to the right. When you hold it will look like a small book.
Step 2: Now, we need to keep the pages from sliding out of the book. To do this, get your stapler. On the part where you folded, place a staple at the top, middle, and bottom. Now, you should be able to flip through the book and the pages will not fall out.
Step 3: Then, we will create the title page. This is your book so you can decorate the cover however you would like. I am going to title it “My Hospital Book” and put my name under it. Then, we are going to decorate. I am going to draw a hospital and smiley faces on the front and back but you can decorate the front and back however you would like! If you want to number the pages, you can do that too!
Step 4: Now we can begin to create the pages for our book! First, let’s think about what we want to put in the book. At the hospital you will meet many different people. The first person you will meet at the hospital is most likely the receptionist. The receptionist sits behind a desk and talks with your parents to get information about you. Once they have this information, they will let the doctor know that you are there. This is important because the doctor needs to know beforehand so they can prepare to talk to you and your parents. Now we need to draw a picture of a receptionist. Then, under the picture write down the facts that you just learned about the receptionist.
Step 5: Now, let's think about another person that we will meet at the hospital. The nurse takes care of you while you’re at the hospital. The nurse may ask to touch you or put certain objects on or in your body. The nurse is not there to harm you. The nurse is checking for certain signs that will tell them if your body is healthy or not. Now we need to draw a picture of a nurse. Then, under the picture write down the facts that you just learned about the nurse.
Step 6: Now, let’s think about another person that we will meet at the hospital. The doctor is a person who tells you if your body is healthy or not and if something needs to be done to fix a problem. The doctor may also touch your chest, back, ears, and ask to look into your mouth. The doctor is doing this to check for signs that you are healthy. The doctor is there to help you get better. Now we need to draw a picture of a doctor. Then, under the picture write down the facts that you just learned about the doctor.
Step 7: Now, let’s think about another person that you may meet at the hospital. There's a chance you might not see this next person but hopefully you will. A child life specialist talks with you and your family so that you know why you are at the hospital and what will happen. The child life specialist will also bring you toys or bring you to the playroom while you are at the hospital. Now, we need to draw a picture of a child life specialist. Then, under the picture write down the facts that you just learned about the child life specialist.
Step 8: Now that we have pictures for all of the people we will see, let’s think about signs you will see at the hospital. The signs tell you where to go so that you can meet the doctor. The hospital visit is different for everyone depending on why you are there. When I was younger, I went to the hospital for surgery so a common sign I saw was “surgery.” This sign let my parents know where to take me to see the doctor. Now, we need to draw a picture of the hospital sign. If you have been to the hospital, draw a sign that you saw when you were there. If you are going to the hospital, draw a sign that you may see when you go. Then, under the picture write down the facts that you just learned about hospital signs.
Step 9: Now, let’s think about objects you may see at the hospital and objects that may be used to check if your body is healthy. A needle is a pointy object that is inserted into your muscle or vein to give you medicine. For instance, the flu vaccine is inserted into your shoulder muscle by a needle to protect you from catching the flu. When a nurse uses a needle, you will feel a small pinch or poke. Sometimes your shoulder will be sore afterwards. Now, we need to draw a picture of a needle. Then, under the picture write down the facts that you just learned about a needle.
Step 10: Now, let’s think about another object you may see at the hospital. An IV is a small tube that is inserted into your vein. Remember, a vein is a blood vessel that helps transport blood throughout your body so that you can stay healthy. Sometimes the doctor will ask for some of your blood so that they can check it to see if there is a problem. An IV is also used to give you medicine or liquid food. Your body has a lot of blood and can quickly remake it so it is okay if the doctor takes some. A needle is used to insert an IV. Because of this you will feel a pinch or poke when getting an IV. The needle does not stay in your body! The nurse uses the needle to put the IV in and then removes the needle and puts tape over the tube. Now, we need to draw a picture of an IV. Then, under the picture write down the facts that you just learned about an IV.
Step 11: Now, let’s think about another object you may see at the hospital. A blood pressure cuff is an object that is strapped to your arm so that nurses can check your blood pressure. Your blood pressure let’s doctor’s know if your heart is pumping blood normally. When the nurse straps the cuff around your arm, she then squeezes a ball to make the cuff tighter. This can be uncomfortable since the cuff is squeezing your arm. After a few minutes the nurse will release the ball and it will stop squeezing your arm. Now, we need to draw a picture of a blood pressure cuff. Then, under the picture write down the facts that you just learned about a blood pressure cuff.
Step 12: Now, let’s think about another object you may see at the hospital. A pulse oximeter tells the nurse and doctor what your pulse is. Your pulse is caused by your heartbeat. Your pulse tells the nurse and doctor how many times your heart beats every minute. The nurse wraps the pulse oximeter around your finger and there is a cord attached to it. There is also a red light that will come from the oximeter. Because the oximeter needs to stay on your finger, it is sticky. Since the nurse is attaching it to your finger she will not use it on anyone else when she removes it. Now, we need to draw a picture of a pulse oximeter. Then, under the picture write down the facts that you just learned about a pulse oximeter.
Step 13: Now, let’s think about another object you may see at the hospital. A vitals signs monitor is usually next to the bed. The monitor has different numbers on the screen that give your nurse and doctor information about your temperature, blood pressure, breathing, and heartbeat. When something is wrong, the machine will usually beep to let the nurse know that she needs to help or get the doctor to help. Now, we need to draw a picture of a vital signs monitor. Then, under the picture write down the facts that you just learned about a vital signs monitor.
Step 14: Now, we will think about another object. I am going to stop here, but you can make more pages with more pictures if you would like. Since I have been to the hospital for surgery, I am going to first make a page for an anesthesia mask. The anesthesia mask is shaped like an egg. The mask is put over your mouth and nose so that you can breathe in medicine. This medicine will not harm you. The medicine will help you fall asleep so that you are not awake for your surgery. Now, I am going to draw a picture of an anesthesia mask. Then, under the picture write down the facts that you just learned about an anesthesia mask.
Now your hospital book is done! Be sure to clean up your area and put away all materials. I hope you enjoyed making it as much as I did! Now you have a book that can help you understand what you will see at the hospital, what certain things are used for, and the people you will meet. You can also take pictures of what you see at the hospital and print them out to put in your book later! If you feel scared about going to the hospital or don’t understand something you can always look through this book again and add more pictures to the extra pages!
~ Made By: Danasia M.