Audience: Parents/Cargivers

General program objective: Participants will recognize the importance of hydration for children in their care.

Specific program objective: Participants will identify ways to hydrate a child after they have been sick.

Behavior change strategy: Self-Efficacy

Educational activities:

• Elicit—have the students write and/or discuss what children need when overcoming sickness.
• Explain—play the provided video for the students.
• Expand—have the students reflect on the information provided in the video
• Exit—have the students brainstorm and list other beverages and snacks that are appropriate for child overcoming sickness.

Length of time to complete: 10-15 minutes, depending on length and depth of conversation.

Materials Required:

• Note paper and writing utensils
• Multi-media display (e.g. computer monitor, projector, or SmartScreen)
• Access to the internet and YouTube
• Copies of nutrition labels for Pedialyte, a sports drink, and commercial apple juice
• Optional: water, salt, sugar, measuring cups, measuring spoons, tasting cups

Procedure:

• Request students to write and/or discuss in small groups what children need when overcoming sicknesses like vomiting or diarrhea.
• Ask the students these questions to help encourage understanding and discussion:
  • What does the body lose when experiencing vomiting or diarrhea?
  • Why is it important to ensure a sick person is hydrated?
  • What should you give as drink or food for a sick person when they are ready to eat?
• If the participants are unable to answer the questions above, offer some insights on the subject. Examples might include:
  • Vomit and diarrhea contains a lot of water; what does that do to a person after they’ve been sick for a while?
  • Do you remember a time when you were sick, what did you want to drink or eat first when you were feeling better?
  • What else might be lost from the body after vomiting and diarrhea besides just water?
• Introduce the short-form video and play for the students.
• Ask the students to identify and then compare and contrast what is present in the three nutrition labels (Pedialyte, sports drink, apple juice) that can help a person who has been sick to feel better (hint: all the nutrients play a role). 
• Allow the students to compare insights in small groups:
  • Why did the helper suggest Pedialyte or a sports drink first?
  • Why did the helper suggest watering down and adding salt to the apple juice?
  • Why did the helper suggest a salty snack when reintroducing solid foods?
  • What questions do you still have?
    • Option to answer lingering questions.
• Have the students brainstorm (either individually or in small groups) a list of foods and drinks that are appropriate for a child overcoming sickness.
  • Note: Anything that a child is willing to consume and does not harm the health of the child is an acceptable option.

Further enrichment: