How I solved the first grade "I'm hurt I need a bandaid" problem.

TeacherBiker · #1 03-23-2005, 11:10 PM

I'm continuously mobbed by children with paper cuts, scratches, overworked mosquito bites who claim to be in need of a bandaid. I don't mind giving them a bandaid, but what I do mind is having to stop teaching in order to do so.

What I did was appoint one of my most responsible students in the class as medic. His job is to keep a small box of bandaids in his desk in case anyone needs one. When a kid says "Mr. O, I'm bleeding" I just say (loudly) "Medic!" and this one boy comes over with a bandaid and hands it to them. I go on teaching.

The only thing is that this child will probably have flashbacks to the first grade if he ever watches Platoon.

Margo · #2 03-24-2005, 10:46 AM

What a great idea. I know what you mean. With the kinders, they think they REALLY need a bandaid for every little boo-boo. Sometimes it is so small I can't even see it. But they can. My rule of thumb is only new boo-boos get bandaids. Old boo-boos don't. So often they come to me with something that happened two days again and is scabbing over nicely and try to get a bandaid out of me for that. Doesn't happen.

AMK · #3 03-24-2005, 12:58 PM

I give bandaids only when I see blood. If it is a lot of blood then off to the nurse. Otherwise washing their hands makes everything feel much better!

Margo · #4 03-24-2005, 01:43 PM

So do wet paper towels. Anything can be fixed with just a wet paper towel.

ViolaSwamp · #5 03-24-2005, 04:04 PM

I love the "medic" thing. That's too cute. I hope your medic is only giving away bandaids and not helping apply them. That could be dangerous--all the blood borne pathogens and all.

I too only give bandaids when I see blood. I've found that it is a teachable moment. When I say "no" they usally respond that it hurts, to which I respond "a bandaid won't make it feel better though, go run it under cold water." I can almost see their minds ticking when they actually stop to consider that bandaids are only a covering and not a pain reliever.

TeacherBiker · #6 03-24-2005, 06:29 PM

I once gave a kid a bandaid for a headache. Seemed to do the trick. At least for him.

ViolaSwamp · #7 03-24-2005, 08:40 PM

I'm all for it if it works!

sdhudgins · #8 03-25-2005, 12:09 AM

I teach K-12
the worst age group I have for bandaids is 7th grade!!!! i was shocked!