What do you do if your teddy bear gets hurt?

Miller Avenue School kindergarten students brought their favorite stuffed animals to school to find out.

The Teddy Bear Clinic, a free injury prevention program for kindergartners sponsored by the Trauma Center at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, was a workshop about safety education and health care presented in a fun and interactive way.

Registered Nurse Christine Russo led the students in the special clinic. An interactive video shared with students how to keep themselves safe when riding in a car, the importance of wearing seatbelts, sitting in the back of the car and wearing helmets were all emphasized. Ms. Russo and classroom teachers then provided hands-on activities for the kindergarten students to learn how to handle and care for their own stuffed animals. The students learned the importance of wearing masks, gloves and caps as well. They then dressed up as doctors and nurses and learned how to conduct an exam as well as how to bandage minor injuries.

Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Courtney Von Bargen noted the timely learning opportunity as summer approaches and how the students were made to feel comfortable with both health care procedures and the medical staff who are there to help them.

Click here to view the photo slideshow.

Date Added: 6/20/2024