There's a First in Everything.

The first time we took our very first step, the first time we said our first word, the first day of school; there is a milestone for everything in our lives and then some. On the 29th of August, the first Teddy Bear Hospital organized by medical students in Malaysia had its very first session in a kindergarten. There was a total number of 18 children of ages 5 and 6.

We started out with our Teddy Bear Clinic. Our volunteer medical students, being the doctors, listening to the complaints of teddy bears' problems. Do you have a temperature and maybe a flue? Is your stomach growling and in pain? Did you cut yourself with a fall? Or perhaps broken an arm? No worries, the doctors are here to help!

 What's wrong with your teddy? Let me have a check.

The children listening tentatively to our advice. No more naughtiness!

Yes, I shall write you your doctor's order. Rest more, eat more healthy food!

You need a bandage? No worries, I will cut you one to a size that fits!

Yes dear, how may I be of assistance?

Next, we have the anatomy station. We started off first with the basics like head, hands, legs, fingers and toes. We then educate then about the heart, lungs, stomach, intestine, liver etc.

Who can tell me a part of our body, raise your hands!

 Teddy wearing an apron. Oh dear, what could Teddy be doing? Teaching of course!

Can anyone tell me these two things are?

Lame joke: Why do we need two lungs? Because one is not enough! Hehe...

Volunteer laughing at her own joke, the children do not seem to understand.

Yes, you place the lungs here. Right at this sweet spot, not else where.

Healthy Eating Station is next. Here, everyone got to know about what consists of fruits, protein, dairy, vegetables and grains. We then sang the food group song! And to top it off, we played a game educating the children about healthy and unhealthy food.

Everyone has their own food to form the food plate! Categories include protein, vegetables, grains, fruits and dairy products!

Children have to correctly identify where to place the food the were assigned

A flurry of activities. Everyone was so eager to participate

Please place your food at the right category!

Volunteer helping to guide the children.

That's not your food picture. It is your patient's card!

What is this everyone? Please tell me!

Next is the food group song! Do you know the food group names, the food group names, the food group names? Do you know the food group names, please tell me what is......

Sing along!

Please tell me what is blue??! Dairy!

Next we have the games to build a healthy food plate. We have a burping gorilla who loves to eat unhealthy food. What happens when gorilla is given an unhealthy food? He burps! And what should we say? Excuse me!  

Finally, there is the Emergency Station. We should always avoid playing with potential dangerous materials like scissors, hot iron and electricity. But when accidents happen, we need to seek help and the first person to call is the parents. If one is unable to reach the parents, one should call the police or ambulance next!

Volunteer explaining the narrating the situation to the children.

Teddy asking mommy what the hot iron is.

After hurting herself, Teddy approaches the phone and tries to call someone.

Who should Teddy contact first? Make a smart guess!

Mom of course!

Children listening and watching in amazement.

Teddy watching mom using the scissors. Knowing Teddy, guess what she will do next?

At the end of the day, everyone gathered for a photo shoot. Did every one enjoy Teddy Bear Hospital?! Apparently it was a resounding YES! Thank you everyone for the support, as well as the principle of the kindergarten for allowing us to have this opportunity to have this session with the children!

When all's said and done, it was definitely a challenging session. We learned better on how to interact with children of a very tender age and it was really an eye opener for each and everyone of us. Though tiring, we were all satisfied with the experience bestowed upon us. We look forward towards more activities in the future. Stay tuned!