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1 Asthma resources for pupils
to asthma
SCHOOL
ALERT!
Asthma resources for pupils
2 Asthma resources for pupils
AIntroduction
ContentsSection 1: How Asthma UK can help you 3Asthma in your national curriculum 4Speak Up For Asthma 5Get your school ‘fit and active for asthma’ 6
Section 2: Resources 7School Asthma Pack resources
What is asthma? poster 9Out There & Active poster 10
Kick-A website 11Activities 12
Activity 1: What is it like to have asthma? 12Activity 2: How many people have asthma? 12Activity 3: Asthma experiences 13Activity 4: Asthma triggers 13Activity 5: Suki’s story 14
All pupils should be taught about asthma.Many pupils in your classroom may well haveexperience of asthma: they may have asthmathemselves, have a family member withasthma, or a friend may have the condition.
Explaining to your class what asthma is, itstriggers, medicines and why it is important to gethelp if they see another pupil having an asthmaattack will help them become asthma aware.This booklet introduces a few of the ways youcan help your pupils become asthma aware.
How
In this section:
Asthma in your national curriculum 4Speak Up For Asthma 5Get your school ‘fit and active for asthma’ 6
can help youAsthma UK
Asthma resources for pupils 3
4 Asthma resources for pupils
Asthma in your national curriculum
Asthma can be included in several areas of thenational curriculum in England and Wales. These include:
Science: Key Stages 1 and 2 – Life processes and living thingsIn Key Stage 1, asthma, its causes and itstreatments can be included in the sections onpersonal health and the role of drugs asmedicines. In Key Stage 2 this can be extended to cover the effect that asthma has on the functionof the lungs. It can also include the identificationof ‘triggers’, both within the school and the widerenvironment.
Design & Technology: Key Stages 1 and 2 – Knowledge and UnderstandingIn both key stages, the area of products andapplications can include a study of how different asthma inhalers work. The section onhealth and safety covers the control of riskswithin the environment.
Geography: Key Stages 1 and 2In both key stages, thematic studies can includelearning about asthma and its relationship toenvironment quality. In Key Stage 1, local studiesof the area around the school could focus on airquality. In Key Stage 2, the study can cover theneed to manage and sustain the environment inorder to avoid pollution and other asthma triggers.
History: Key Stages 1 and 2Studies of local history can incorporate sectionsthat focus on the change in the local environmentcaused by changes in industry and transport.
PE: Key Stages 1 and 2Children and young people should be encouragedto understand and adopt lifestyle choices thatcontribute to good health and well-being. PE teachers should be aware that pupils withasthma require access to all areas of the PE national curriculum.
In Scotland the processes of respiration areincluded in the science section of EnvironmentalStudies in the 5–14 curriculum.
The respiratory system is also included inNorthern Ireland’s curriculum. Work on asthmacould be incorporated here.
How Asthma UK can help you
See page 12for classroomand assemblyactivities
Asthma resources for pupils 5
1 10children in the UK has asthma
in
Asthma UK has trained speakers who can visityour school and talk about asthma and the workof Asthma UK. There is no charge for speakers –all Asthma UK asks is that the school considerssupporting us by making a donation or organisinga fundraising activity.
‘Speak Up For Asthma’ volunteers also speak tocommunity groups and voluntary organisations.
‘Speak Up For Asthma’ volunteers are available inmany places in the UK. To see if there is one available in your area and to book aspeaker, or for further information, contactAsthma UK’s Community Development & Volunteering team (020 7786 4923/5008;[email protected]).
Hosting a speaker on asthma
‘It is great to be involved in the community andhelp to improve the livesof people – includingchildren – with asthma.’ DAKSHA KAMDAR, SPEAK UP FOR
ASTHMA VOLUNTEER
6 Asthma resources for pupils
Get your school ‘fit and active for asthma’
Asthma UK would like schools to take part in an exercise-based awareness-raising event to encourage all pupils to be physically active,while raising money for Asthma UK. The event can cover anything that gets all pupils (with and without asthma) out there and active.
Your school could:• hold a mini marathon• grab skipping ropes and do a sponsored skip • put on sequins for a funky dance-a-thon• get the trainers out for a good old sports day
(with egg and spoon race of course!)• think about 2012 and go for a mini-Olympics
(has your school any potential 2012 stars?)• come up with a brand new event – put on your
thinking caps (anything that gets you up andout of your seats!).
One third of children with asthma miss out on PEor other sport about once a week because of theirasthma, according to an online poll byAsthma UK. However, exercise is good foreveryone including children and young peoplewith asthma. With the right asthma managementand asthma control, most children and youngpeople should be able to participate in just aboutany activity they want to.
To help you organise an event Asthma UK willprovide a pack containing all the information youneed, along with Asthma UK sponsorship forms,balloons, stickers, posters, collecting tinsand certificates.
Asthma UK is a charity funded through voluntarydonations and your school’s support would helpto improve the lives of the 5.2 million people –including 1.1 million children – in the UK withasthma. By raising money you will help AsthmaUK to understand the causes of asthma and freepeople from its effects.
For more information on mini marathons or other events please contact Asthma UK’sSupporter & Information Team (020 7786 5000;[email protected]).
Cover over 26 miles, while raising money forchildren with asthma each step of the way. If you would like your school to get active andtake part in the Kick Asthma mini-marathon toraise vital funds to help children with asthma,contact Asthma UK’s Supporter & InformationTeam for a fundraising pack (020 7786 5000;[email protected]).
Dylan loves sport. Hisasthma is triggered byexercise but he takes hismedicines and knows howto keep his symptomsunder control.
r
Asthma resources for pupils 7
resourcesIn this section:
School Asthma Pack resources 8What is asthma? poster 9Out There & Active poster 10
Kick-A website 11Activities 12
Activity 1: What is it like tohave asthma? 12
Activity 2: How many peoplehave asthma? 12
Activity 3: Asthma experiences 13Activity 4: Asthma triggers 13Activity 5: Suki’s story 14
8 Asthma resources for pupils
There are two posters included in this pack. Theyalso feature on pages 9 and 10 for easy reference.
What is asthma? A2 poster
Covers• What is asthma?• Symptoms• Triggers• What to do in an asthma attack
UseThe poster gives all pupils basic informationabout asthma, its symptoms and triggers. It isideal for displaying in the classroom or onnoticeboards throughout the school. See page 9.
Out There & Active – A2 poster
Covers• Asthma symptoms• Common triggers during PE• Tips to keep asthma symptoms under control• What to do in an asthma attack
UseThis is a useful tool to encourage children withasthma to take part in exercise and for classroomdiscussion. Ideal for displaying in schoolchanging rooms, noticeboards outside the schoolgym or changing rooms and/or in the classroomor on noticeboards throughout the school. Seepage 10.
The poster can be used:• to inform all pupils and teachers about asthma
and exercise • to inform/remind pupils whose asthma is
triggered by exercise how to keep their asthmaunder control.
• to remind teachers and other adults supervisingexercise activities about asthma, its triggers,how a pupil can manage their asthma whileexercising, and what to do in an asthma attack.
There are two versions of this poster a Kick-Asthma branded version for primary schools and the version below for older pupils.
School Asthma Pack resources
Jodhi’s asthma is triggeredby house-dust mites,exercise and somechemicals – including someused in science lessons
For further copies ofeither of the posters,use the form in the packor contact Asthma UK’sSupporter & InformationTeam (020 7786 5000;[email protected]).
Common triggers in PE are:
Tips to keep your asthmasymptoms under control
What to do in an asthma attack
Asthma symptoms
Exercise keeps you fit and healthy.If you have asthma that is well controlled it should notstop most people getting out there and active.
‘I alwaysmake sure
that I take myinhaler before
playing footballand that I have itavailable in case
I need it.’PAUL SCHOLES
FOOTBALLER
• Coughing • Tightness in the chest• Wheezing • Difficulty breathing
If you continue to have symptomswhen exercising visit your doctoror asthma nurse.
1 Take two puffs of your reliever inhaler (usually blue)
2 Sit up and loosen tight clothing
3 If there is no immediate improvement during an attack,continue to take one puff of reliever inhaler every minutefor five minutes, or until symptoms improve
4 If your symptoms do not improve within five to ten minutes– or if you are in doubt – call 999 or a doctor urgently
5 Continue to take one puff of your reliever inhalerevery minute until help arrives.
Asthma UK, Summit House, 70 Wilson Street, London EC2A 2DB Registered charity number 802364 What do you think of this poster? Email: [email protected]
CA01
5120
5
• Use your reliever inhaler immediately before starting to warm up• Always warm up • Try not to come into contact with things that trigger your asthma• Always have your reliever inhaler available when you exercise• If you have asthma symptoms when you exercise, stop, take your reliever inhaler
and wait five minutes or until you feel better before starting again• Always warm down – if you want advice on warming up or down ask your PE teacher.
Cold air Long distancerunning
Chlorine inswimming pools
Pollen –including
grass cuttings
Bleep fitness test Dustyequipment
Remember – everyone’s triggers are different!
‘Warming up andwarming down are
really important ways inwhich I keep my
asthma under controlwhen I’m exercising.’
PAULA RADCLIFFEMARATHON WORLD CHAMPION
To speak to an asthma nurse specialist aboutyour asthma call 08457 01 02 03 or visit theKick-A Health Centre (kickasthma.org.uk).
Visit the Kick-A Crew and find out more aboutasthma at kickasthma.org.uk
Asthma resources for pupils 11
Kick-A website
Kickasthma.org.uk is Asthma UK’s interactivewebsite for children and young people with asthma.
Based around the fictional Kick-A City and itsresidents, the Kick-A Crew, the site helps to showchildren what it is like to live with asthma everyday and how to keep symptoms under control,through a mixture of information, games andinteractive environments.
Visitors to the Kick-A site can find outmore about music-loving Skoot(pictured), rebel Charlie, fashion-conscious Simone, sporty Dylan and the rest of theirmates, and explore their school,health centre and homes, discovering the links that revealinformation about triggers andmedicines.
The site also has a messageboard andproblem page, where young peoplecan write in for advice on how todeal with their asthma at school,and with their friends and family.
It’s lucky Woody keeps
his spare inhaler in his
classroom as he sometimes
forgets to take his to school.
12 Asthma resources for pupils
Resources
Activities
BackgroundThis section is designed to help you planactivities for assembly or within the classroom tohelp your pupils to become asthma aware. Itexplains what asthma is, who it affects and howit affects them. These activities have not beenlinked to any of the national curricula.
• Activity 1: What is it like to have asthma?• Activity 2: How many people have asthma?• Activity 3: Asthma experiences• Activity 4: Asthma triggers• Activity 5: Suki’s story
What does it feel like to have asthma?The following are quotes from children whohave asthma:• ‘Having an asthma attack is like someone
is standing on my lungs.’• ‘When I am having an asthma attack it
feels like a rope is being slowly tightenedaround my chest.’
• ‘It feels like I am being squashed, it isscary because you can’t get your breath.’
Asthma facts• 1 in 10 children in the UK currently
has asthma.• 5.2 million people in the UK have asthma,
including 1.1 million children.• Asthma costs the NHS £889 million a year.• Children whose parents smoke are 1.5
times more likely to develop asthma.
Activity 2 – How many people have asthma?Work out how many children in your school itwould take to represent the one in ten children in the UK with asthma. You can use this as ademonstration exercise in assembly. For example,if your school has 200 pupils ask 20 children tostand up. Explain that there are probably thismany children in your school with asthma. It is a common condition that most of the time can bemanaged with help from your doctor or asthmanurse and the right asthma medicines.
This activity is a good precursor to having a staff member or Asthma UK speaker talk aboutthe condition.
Activity 1 – What is it like to have asthma?Ask your class to close their eyes and read thefollowing text:
Imagine how you feel when you’ve had to run,cycle or swim really fast – maybe you’ve been in a race, had to run the whole length of the footballpitch or cycled up a big hill. You will probably feelout of breath for a few minutes. Those fewminutes give you an idea of what it often feelslike for many people with asthma.
Imagine how you would feel if this feeling didn’tgo away after a few minutes or even got worse. Asthma is a very common condition and it isimportant that everyone trys to understand what itmight feel like and even know a bit about it.
Asthma resources for pupils 13
Activities
Activity 3 – Asthma experiencesIs there a teacher at school with asthma, who might be prepared to talk about theirexperiences? Or contact Asthma UK and see ifthere is a Speak Up For Asthma speaker in yourschool’s area (see page 5).
There is nothing to stop children and youngpeople with asthma achieving their full potential.To demonstrate this there are many famous andsuccessful people have asthma. Ask pupils toguess which of these famous people have asthma:
• World champion marathon runner Paula Radcliffe
• Manchester United footballers Paul Scholes andLouis Saha
• Film star and ex-Buffy, Sarah Michelle Geller• Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy star and ‘Tim’
from The Office, Martin Freeman• Nikki Sanderson, ‘Candice’ in Coronation Street• Gethin Jenkins, Welsh rugby star.
ANSWER: They all have asthma.
Activity 4 – Asthma triggersA trigger is something that irritates the airways ofpeople with asthma and causes the symptoms ofasthma. Everyone’s asthma is different andpeople with asthma may have several triggers.
Have a think about triggers and how they mightaffect people with asthma.• Furry and feathery animals – this might mean
you can’t have a pet or that you get asthmasymptoms when you visit someone who does.How do you think that would make you feel?
• Pollen – this affects some people with asthmaand those who have hay fever. How do youthink you would feel if going outside on a warmsummer’s day with a high pollen count madeyou feel wheezy and out of breath?
• Tobacco smoke – you couldn’t stay overnight atyour friend’s house because their parents smokeand it triggers your asthma.
• Exercise – if on a cold day you had to be carefulabout taking exercise and playing sportsbecause the cold air triggered your asthma.
Connor finds his asthmagets worse from May toAugust when grasspollen is around.
For more abouttriggers see Page 8 AsthmaAwareness forSchool Staff.
14 Asthma resources for pupils
Resources
Activities
Activity 5 – Suki’s storyYou could either read this story aloud or get somepupils to act out the story.
To make sure that the children understand thefollowing story about a child at school who hasasthma you could ask some questions first.
• Can you remember what happens if someonehas an asthma attack?The tubes that they breathe through get smallerand it is difficult to breathe. Sometimes peoplecough or have whistling noises called wheezingwhen they breathe.
• What are the things that set off a person’sasthma called? They are called triggers.
• What sort of things can trigger asthma?Cigarette smoke, colds and flu, thingswith strong fumes, cats, dogsand other animals, pollen andexercise.
• What is an inhaler? It is a special pump that givesasthma medicine.
Suki’s storySuki has asthma. She is 10 years old and she hasjust started at a new school.
Her asthma has been much worse over the pastfew weeks and she wishes she could stay athome. Recently, in technology lessons they’vebeen making things with wood but the fumesfrom the wood glue trigger her asthma. She needsto go outside to take her inhaler during the lessonbut she doesn’t want to make a fuss. By the endof the lesson she is really coughing andwheezing. Then a girl called Polly and some of theother kids start calling her names like ‘Wheezy’.Suki wishes she could go back to her old school –at least they didn’t tease her about her asthma.
One day Suki falls asleep during maths and someof the other kids laugh at her. But it wasn’t herfault, her asthma had been quite bad the nightbefore and she hadn’t had much sleep. Suki wassent to see the school nurse and then sent home,which was very embarrassing. Her asthma wasstill bad and she was coughing a lot, which meanttaking even more of her asthma medicine. Suki’smum needed to take her to her asthma nurse foran asthma review.
Suki’s technology teacher, Mrs Evans was gettingquite worried about her and decided to find outmore about asthma. So she asked Suki to staybehind after the next lesson, and told her thatshe had been looking on the Asthma UK websiteand had found out lots of useful informationabout asthma.
Asthma resources for pupils 15
Bex’s asthma is mild. Her asthma is triggeredby exercise. So she takesher inhaler immediatelybefore exercising.
She said that she had not realised that the fumes from the wood glue was a trigger for Suki’sasthma but now that she knows she would beable to do something about it. She also told Sukithat if she needed to take her inhaler duringlesson time then it was ok to do so. Mrs Evanshad also found out that swimming is very goodexercise for people with asthma and suggestedSuki joined the swimming club. Suki decided thatthis was a good idea. She met lots of otherchildren there and started to make some newfriends. One of her new friends, AJ, also hasasthma and Suki found out that AJ’s asthma wasmade worse by the guinea pig that was kept inhis classroom.
Mrs Evans also found out that there are over fivemillion people in the UK who have asthma andthat there are lots of children with asthma at herschool – even some teachers have it. Mrs Evansdecided to try and make things easier for peoplein school who have asthma. First she arranged forall children with asthma in school to have aSchool Asthma Card so that their parents couldgive the school lots of information about theirchild’s asthma and what their child’s triggers are.Then she started to think of other ways she couldhelp people with asthma.
Can you think of some of the things she could do?
• Make sure all the teachers know about asthma,its triggers and treatments.
• Make it easier for children to carry their inhalerswith them so they can take their medicine whenthey need to.
• Get teachers to talk about asthma in lessons.• Make classrooms asthma-friendly by using
pens, paints and glues that do not have fumes.• Do not have pets at school.• Use a damp cloth to wipe the blackboard –
chalk dust can be a trigger.• Make sure children who need to take their
inhalers immediately before games or sportlessons do so. Exercise is a trigger for around80% of people with asthma.
• Remind her class that if you have asthma to lether know.
©2006 Asthma UKRegistered charity number 802364
Asthma UK website
Read the latest independentadvice and news on asthma
asthma.org.uk
Asthma UK Adviceline
Ask an asthmanurse specialist
08457 01 02 03asthma.org.uk/adviceline
Asthma UK membership
Become a member of Asthma UK and receive Asthma Magazine four times a year
020 7786 [email protected]
Asthma UK publications
Request booklets, factfilesand other materials withindependent, specialistinformation on everyaspect of asthma
020 7786 [email protected]
Asthma UK
Summit House
70 Wilson Street
London EC2A 2DB
T 020 7786 4900
F 020 7256 6075
Asthma UK Cymru
Eastgate House
35–43 Newport Road
Cardiff CF24 0SB
Asthma UK Northern
Ireland
Peace House
224 Lisburn Road
Belfast BT9 6GE
Asthma UK Scotland
4 Queen Street
Edinburgh EH2 1JE
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On average, childrenin every classroom will have asthma3
Where can I find out more?Asthma UK is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 5.2 millionpeople – including 1.1 million children – in the UK with asthma.
