Teaching Prevention of Asthma Exacerbation in Children

Teaching the prevention of asthma exacerbation in children is a serious health education matter that may save a child's life. You do not have to be a doctor or a nurse to be an effective teacher. It is important to have a solid background in health education, asthma, asthma prevention and details of the individual's asthma history. Access to engaging and age appropriate teaching materials is a must in the pediatric population.

Instructions

1

Start with the basics. Ask the child what they know about their asthma. Do they know what it is? How does it make them feel? What triggers their asthma? What meds are they on? How do they use their inhaler? Provide explanations and answers as necessary.

2

Do a demonstration. Many children learn by seeing and doing rather than reading. Show them how their breathing works by using an age-appropriate picture, model or diagram.

3

Games are a great teaching tool. Try incorporating a fun crossword of asthma terms or creating a story of what it is like having asthma. This can identify barriers to compliance and gaps in understanding.

4

Scare tactics work. Scare tactics work in calling attention to a problem but not necessarily changing behavior. Make sure the child is aware asthma can be deadly but is easily controlled.

5

Review, review, review. It is not enough to teach once and think the child has absorbed everything. Make sure they continue to apply the prevention techniques of asthma exacerbation you taught them by regular follow-up and review.