Boomerang - Summer Edition - July, 2020 by Hancock Health

BoomeranG SUMMER EDITION

YOUR PLACE FOR FUN, GAMES & MORE.

ISSUE #5 â&#x20AC;¢ JULY 2020

Artwork by: Penelope Dullaghan

FUN AND GAMES WHILE AT HOME

In This Issue Immunizations................................ 3-4 What they are and how they work.

Sun Safety......................................5-6 Don’t feel the burn.

Recipe............................................... 7 Simple snack mix.

Bike Safety................................... 8-10 The safest way to use your bike.

Going to the Hospital...................11-14 What happens inside the hospital

Your Ears.................................... 15-16 Can you hear me?

Games, Puzzles & Jokes.................... 17

FIGHTING DISEASES

YOUR CHILD'S IMMUNIZATIONS Babies are born with protection against some diseases because their mothers pass antibodies (proteins made by the body to fight disease) to them before birth.

TYPES OF VACCINES •

Attenuated (weakened) live viruses are used in some vaccines such as in the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

• Killed (inactivated) viruses or bacteria are used in some vaccines, such as in IPV. •

Toxoid Vaccines contain an inactivated toxin produced by the bacterium. For example, the diphtheria and tetanus vaccines are toxoid vaccines.

• Conjugate Vaccines (such as Hib) contain parts of bacteria combined with proteins

Immunization (vaccination) is a way to create immunity to (protection from) some diseases. This is done by using small amounts of a killed or weakened germ that causes the disease. Germs can be viruses (such as the measles virus) or bacteria (such as pneumococcus). Vaccines stimulate the immune system to react as if there were a real infection. It fends off the "infection" and remembers the germ. Then, it can fight the germ if it enters the body later. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that kids get combination vaccines (rather than single vaccines) whenever possible. Many vaccines are offered in combination to help reduce the number of shots a child receives.

WHAT VACCINES DO KIDS NEED? The following vaccinations and schedules are recommended by the AAP. Some variations are normal, and recommendations change as new vaccines are developed. Your doctor will talk to you about the right vaccinations and schedule for your child. RECOMMENDED VACCINATIONS: • • • • • •

Chickenpox (varicella) vaccine Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine (DTaP) Hepatitis A vaccine (HepA) Hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) Hib vaccine Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine

• • • • • •

Influenza vaccine Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) Meningococcal vaccines Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) Polio vaccine (IPV) Rotavirus vaccine

VACCINE CONCERNS Some parents may hesitate to have their kids vaccinated. They have questions or worry that a child might have a serious reaction or get the illness the vaccine prevents. But the components of vaccines are weakened or killed. In some cases, only parts of the germ are used. So they’re unlikely to cause any serious illness. Some vaccines may cause mild reactions, such as soreness where the shot was given or a fever. But serious reactions are rare. The risks of vaccinations are small compared with the health risks of the diseases they’re intended to prevent. Immunizations are one of the best means of protection against contagious diseases. Reviewed by: Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD Date reviewed: March 2019

LEARN MORE .

Click HERE to find out what we are doing to keep your littles safe!

HOW TO BE SAFE IN THE SUN

SUN SAFETY

Reviewed by: Kate M. Cronan, MD Date reviewed: October 2017

The weather is warming up, the days are longer and there’s more time to be outside doing all kinds of fun things! But if you’re going to be out in the sun, especially on a hot day, you need to stay safe. Let’s find out how.

DON’T FEEL THE BURN Even though the sun is hot, it does cool things. It keeps us warm. It makes flowers and plants grow. It even gives us vitamin D so we can better absorb calcium into our bodies for strong bones. It does all these things by sending down light, which includes invisible ultraviolet (say: ul-trah-VYE-uh-lit) rays. These are also called UV rays. Some ultraviolet rays pass through air and clouds and reach the skin. When your skin’s been exposed to too many of these rays, you get what’s known as a sunburn. Ouch! Some people get a sunburn faster than others because of their coloring. If you have blond or red hair, light-colored skin, and light-colored eyes, you’ll tend to get a sunburn more quickly than someone with dark eyes and skin. That’s because you have less melanin (say: MEL-uh-nun). Melanin is a chemical in the skin that protects

it from sun damage by reflecting and absorbing UV rays. People with darker skin have more melanin, but even if you have dark hair, dark eyes, or darkertoned skin, you can still get a sunburn. It will just take a little bit longer. Sunburns look bad and feel worse. They can cause blisters on your skin. They can keep you inside feeling sore when everyone else is outside having fun. They increase your chance of getting wrinkly when you get older. And worst of all, they can lead to skin cancer when you are an adult. Because getting wrinkles and getting sick don’t happen right away, they can seem like things that could never happen to you. But you still need to be careful.

PRIME TIME You don’t need to hide from the sun completely. But you should take these two steps: 1. Always wear sunscreen. 2. Take breaks from the sun often by going indoors or moving into the shade.

These steps are especially important between 10 a.m. (in the morning) and 4 p.m. (in the afternoon), when the sun’s rays are strongest. Use a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or higher. Put on sunscreen 15 to 20 minutes before going out in the sun. The letters SPF stand for sun protection factor, and the number rating tells you how much longer you can stay in the sun without getting sunburned. But this isn’t always true, so reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours, just to be safe. Do this more often if you’ve been swimming or sweating a lot — even if the sunscreen is waterproof. And remember that you can get sunburned more quickly when you’re swimming or boating because the reflection from the water makes the sun’s rays stronger. Be sure to put sunscreen all over your body. This includes some places you might not think of, like the tops of your ears, the back of your neck, the part in your hair, your face, and the tops of your feet. You may need some help reaching the back of your body so ask your parents or friends to give you a hand. If you want to block the sun’s rays, wear clothing that you can’t see your hand through. You may still get burned through more sheer fabrics. Wear a baseball cap or other fun hat to block your face from the sun. Don’t forget that your eyes need protection from ultraviolet rays, too. Always wear sunglasses in the sun, and make sure they have a label saying that they block UV rays.

DRINK UP! Drinking water is an important part of staying healthy, especially when it’s hot outside. When you’re sweating, you lose water that your body needs to work properly. And if you’re playing a sport or running around in the sun, you lose even

more water, because you sweat that much more. So drink up and don’t wait until you’re thirsty — drinking before you feel thirsty helps keep the water level in your body from dropping too low (dehydration) when it’s hot or you’re sweating a lot with exercise. If you forget and suddenly feel thirsty, start drinking then. There are lots of cool-looking water bottles around, so get one you really like, fill it up, and drink up!

GOT THAT HOT FEELING? If you’re out in the hot sun or you’re exercising on a hot day, it’s easy to get heat exhaustion. Kids get heat exhaustion when their bodies can’t cool themselves fast enough. A kid with heat exhaustion might feel overheated, tired, and weak. Heat exhaustion can come on suddenly. A person may just collapse when playing soccer or tennis, for example. It can leave someone feeling really tired after it happens. Heat stroke is a more serious heat-related illness and can cause someone to stop sweating; to have red, hot skin; and to have a high temperature. The person might become uncoordinated, confused, or even lose consciousness. It requires emergency medical attention. Be sure to tell an adult if you’re hot and you have a headache or feel dizzy or nauseated (like you’re going to throw up). The grown-up will want to get you out of the sun, give you liquids to drink, and take you to a doctor, if necessary. The good news is that the sun doesn’t have to be your enemy if you wear your sunscreen, drink your water, and take breaks when you start to feel too hot. And don’t forget your sunglasses. Not only do they protect your eyes from the sun, they make you look so cool!

SIMPLE SNACK MIX Note: Use single-serving bags or containers to take this snack on the go. Prep time: 5 minutes WHAT YOU NEED: • 1 cup whole grain cereal (squares or Os work best) • 1/4 cup dried fruit of your choice • 1/4 cup nuts, such as walnut pieces, slivered almonds, or pistachios • 1/4 cup small, whole-grain snack crackers or pretzels EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES: • Large bowl • Measuring cups • Large spoon WHAT TO DO: 1. Measure out ingredients. 2. Combine in large bowl. HOW MUCH DOES THIS RECIPE MAKE? Three to four 1/2-cup servings Nemours Note: All information on KidsHealth® is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2020 The Nemours Foundation. All rights reserved.

S A F E E T K Y I B

Reviewed by: Kate M. Cronan, MD Date reviewed: February 2019 Nemours Note: All information on KidsHealthÂŽ is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. ÂŠ 1995-2020 The Nemours Foundation. All rights reserved.

It’s a beautiful day — what could be more perfect than a bike ride? But wait! Before you pull your bike out of the garage, let’s find out how to stay safe on two wheels. WHY IS BIKE SAFETY SO IMPORTANT? Bike riding is a lot of fun, but accidents happen. The safest way to use your bike is to get places, not to play. Every year, lots of kids need to see their doctor or go to the emergency room because of bike injuries. WHY SHOULD KIDS WEAR A BIKE HELMET? Wearing a helmet that fits well every time you’re on a bike helps protect your face, head, and brain if you fall down. That’s why it’s so important to wear your bike helmet whenever you are on a bike. Bike helmets are so important that the U.S. government has created safety rules for them. Your helmet should have a sticker that says it meets the rules set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). If your helmet doesn’t have a CPSC sticker, ask your mom or dad to get you one that does. Wear a bike helmet every time you ride, even if you’re going for a short ride. And follow these rules: • • • •

Make sure your bike helmet fits you well. Always wear your helmet the right way so it will protect you: Make sure it covers your forehead and don’t let it tip back. Always fasten the straps. Don’t wear a hat under your helmet. Take care of your helmet and don’t throw it around. If it’s damaged, it won’t protect you as well when you need it.

• Get a new helmet if you fall while you’re on your bike and hit your head. • Put reflective stickers on your helmet so drivers can see you better. WHAT’S THE RIGHT BIKE FOR ME? Riding a bike that is the right size for you helps to keep you safe. TO CHECK THE SIZE: • When you are on your bicycle, stand straddling the top bar of your bike so that both feet are flat on the ground. • There should be 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 centimeters) of space between you and the top bar. MAKING A SAFETY CHECKLIST IS IMPORTANT. ASK YOUR MOM OR DAD FOR HELP: • Make sure your seat, handlebars, and wheels fit tightly. • Check and oil your chain regularly. • Check your brakes to be sure they work well and aren’t sticking. • Check your tires to make sure they have enough air and the right amount of tire pressure. WHAT SHOULD I WEAR WHEN I RIDE MY BIKE? Wearing bright clothes and putting reflectors on your bike also can help you stay safe. It helps other people on the road see you. And if they see you, that means they’re less likely to run into you. You’ll also want to make sure that nothing will get caught in your bike chain, such as loose pant legs, backpack straps, or shoelaces. Wear the right shoes — sneakers — when you bike. Sandals, flip-flops, shoes with heels, and cleats won’t help you grip the pedals. And never go riding barefoot!

Riding gloves may help you grip the handlebars — and make you look like a professional! Don’t wear headphones because the music can distract you from noises around you, such as a car blowing its horn so you can get out of the way. WHERE IS IT SAFE TO RIDE MY BIKE? You need to check with your mom and dad about: • where you’re allowed to ride your bike • how far you’re allowed to go • whether you should ride on the sidewalk or in the street. Kids younger than 10 years should ride on the sidewalk and avoid the street. • common things that can get in the way like rocks, children or pets, big puddles No matter where you ride, daytime riding is the safest. So try to avoid riding your bike at dusk and later. And always keep an eye out for cars and trucks. Even if you’re just riding on the sidewalk, a car may pull out of its driveway into the path of your bike. If you’re crossing a busy road, walk your bike across the street. WHAT ROAD RULES SHOULD I KNOW? If you’re allowed to ride on the street, follow these road rules: • Always ride with your hands on the handlebars. • Always stop and check for traffic in both directions when leaving your driveway, an alley, or a curb. • Cross at intersections. When you pull out between parked cars, drivers can’t see you coming. • Walk your bike across busy intersections using the crosswalk and following traffic signals.

• • • • • •

Ride on the right-hand side of the street, so you travel in the same direction as cars do. Never ride against traffic. Use bike lanes wherever you can. Don’t ride too close to parked cars. Doors can open suddenly. Stop at all stop signs and obey traffic (red) lights just as cars do. Ride single-file on the street with friends. When passing other bikers or people on the street, always pass to their left side, and call out “On your left!” so they know that you are coming.

HOW DO I SIGNAL MY TURNS? Hand signals are like turn signals and brake lights for bikers. It helps cars and trucks know what you will do next so they don’t run into you. Don’t change directions or lanes without first looking behind you, and always use the correct signals. Use your left arm for all signals: • Left turn: After checking behind you, hold your arm straight out to the left and ride forward slowly. • Stop: After checking behind you, bend your elbow, pointing your arm downward in an upside down “L” shape and come to a stop. • Right turn: After checking behind you, bend your elbow, holding your arm up in an “L” shape, and ride forward slowly. (Or, hold your right arm straight out from your side.) Now that you’ve learned those hand signals, you get a big thumbs-up for finding out more about bike safety!

GOING TO THE HOSPITAL

ALL ABOUT THE HOSPital

Reviewed by: Rebecca L. Gill, MD Date reviewed: November 2017 Nemours

Note: All information on KidsHealth® is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2020 The Nemours Foundation. All rights reserved.

You might go to the hospital if you fall off your bike and break your arm or if you have asthma and have trouble breathing. You might go to the hospital if you become dehydrated and need IV fluids or if you need to have surgery to take out your tonsils. It may seem a little scary to go to a hospital, but doctors, nurses, and other hospital workers are there to help people who are sick or hurt feel better. Read on to find out what happens inside a hospital.

ADMISSIONS Sometimes, your doctor decides you need to be admitted to the hospital (that means you will stay overnight). He or she either needs to find out about something going on inside your body or has decided you need special medicine, surgery, or other treatment for a health problem. Your doctor will call the hospital to tell the staff that you’re coming, and you will go to the admissions desk to check in. Another way that kids might be admitted to the hospital is through the emergency room. You might go to the emergency room (or ER) if you are feeling very

sick or have been injured, especially if your doctor or parent feels that you need medical attention right away. In the ER, the doctors and nurses will take care of you and help you feel better. If you need to stay overnight at the hospital, someone from the hospital staff will take you and your parents to your hospital room when you are finished in the ER. When you go into the hospital, you will probably see your mom or dad fill out a lot of different papers. It’s important for the hospital to have your name, address, phone number, birth date, and other information, like if you take any medicines or have any allergies. You might be asked a lot of questions (sometimes again and again) like your name, your birthday, and if you have pain. If you don’t understand a question, it can help to ask your parents — or the doctor or nurse taking care of you — to explain.

YOUR ROOM Your room will have a bed, usually with buttons to push that will make the bed move up or down. A curtain can be pulled around your bed so that you can have some privacy while you’re resting or changing

clothes. There are usually lights that you can turn on and off, and there is a special button to push that will call the nurse if you need anything. You’ll probably have a bathroom in your room. Many hospital rooms have a TV and a telephone to use while you’re in the hospital. If you’re going to be in the hospital for a little while, you can always bring things that remind you of home, like pictures of your family, stuffed animals, books, or toys — or even put up favorite pictures or posters on the wall around your bed. You may want to bring your favorite pillow and blanket to be more comfortable.

YOUR CLOTHES In many hospitals, you can wear anything you want — like your own pajamas or bathrobe. Sometimes you might have to wear a special hospital gown that makes it easier for the doctor or nurse to examine you. The hospital usually provides slipper socks or you can bring your own.

YOUR FAMILY Almost every hospital will let one of your parents stay with you all the time, even while you’re sleeping in your room. During the day, sisters, brothers, grandparents, and friends

can visit as long as there aren’t too many people at a time. They might even bring you balloons!

HOSPITAL PEOPLE You’ll meet lots of people in the hospital, from the moment you arrive until you’re ready to leave. You might meet as many as 30 people just on your first day! You’ll meet nurses who will help to get you settled and show you around the hospital floor so you’ll know where things are. While you’re in the hospital, nurses will take care of you day and night. They’ll check on you throughout the day to see how you’re feeling and if you need anything. Every few hours, they’ll check your temperature, blood pressure, heartbeat, and breathing. Nurses will also bring you any medicines you may need while you’re sick. You’ll see plenty of doctors in the hospital, too. You might see your own doctor or a doctor who always works in the hospital and takes care of children. If you’re in a hospital just for kids, you’ll probably also see medical students (who are learning to be doctors) and residents (doctors receiving special training

in taking care of kids). You also might see a medical specialist — that’s a doctor who is an expert in a certain kind of medical problem or part of the body. For instance, a cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in taking care of the heart. Another example is if you have asthma and need to be in the hospital, you might see a lung specialist or allergist who will help you with your breathing problems. Transport people will take you from place to place; volunteers may bring coffee to parents or play games, read, and watch videos with you in your room or in the playroom; and therapists will show you how to use pieces of equipment, like crutches, if you need them. Some hospitals have child life specialists. Their job is to make sure kids in the hospital understand what’s going on around them and help them feel more comfortable. Child life specialists can help explain something a doctor or nurse will do, like place an IV or take someone to the operating room for surgery. They can help you feel more comfortable about these things.

GETTING TESTS You will probably have some tests while you’re in the hospital — not the kind you take in school! The doctor may order a blood test, which involves taking some blood from a vein in your arm. This can pinch a little, but it won’t hurt too much. For other kinds of tests, you may need to give some urine (pee) or poop. Sometimes an X-ray, CAT scan, or MRI will need to be done. These tests use a special machine to take a picture of parts of your body. This helps doctors see the bones and tissues inside your body and helps them to see if anything is wrong or is making you sick. If there is a test you don’t understand, you can watch a video that tells you about it or you can ask the doctor or nurse about it, and they will explain it to you.

HAVING SURGERY If you are going to have surgery (that’s another name for having an operation), you will meet an anesthesiologist (say: an-us-THEE-zeeahl-uh-jist) before the operation. The job of an anesthesiologist is to help you sleep during the surgery with special medicines. This way you

won’t feel anything while your doctor operates on you. On the day of surgery, you won’t be able to eat breakfast because you can’t have an operation on a full stomach. But don’t worry — your body will get fluids through an IV. An IV is a tiny tube that carries medicine or fluids into your body through a vein, usually in your arm or hand. When it’s time for the operation, a transport person will wheel you on a special bed to the operating room, where you’ll get anesthesia to go to sleep. While you’re still awake, the hospital staff will explain everything that is going to happen. If you have any questions, you should always ask! After your operation, when you wake up, you’ll either be back in your room or in a special recovery room — that’s a room where nurses can keep checking on you to make sure you’re OK.

KEEPING BUSY Most hospitals have playrooms, where you’ll find toys, books, arts and crafts, and games. Someone will be there to help you find something to do. If you can’t go to the playroom, someone can bring toys to your room. Most hospitals have TVs or video games, and many have computers (with games!) that can be brought to your bed. Also, many hospitals for kids have special visitors stop by, like clowns or story characters.

KEEPING UP WITH SCHOOLWORK If you’re worried about falling behind on schoolwork while you’re in the hospital, there are ways to keep up. Many children’s hospitals have a classroom and a teacher for kids who are in the hospital for a while. For shorter stays, if you feel up to it,

your parents can have your schoolwork sent home or to the hospital. If you’re not feeling great and you don’t think you can keep up with the schoolwork, your school will understand and give you extra time when you go back.

BEING NERVOUS It’s normal to be a little nervous — and even scared — when going to the hospital. But remember: • • • •

Your family will be with you. Lots of other kids in the hospital are going through the same kind of thing. Many people, like doctors and nurses, can answer any questions you might have. Don’t be afraid to ask! Remember, they’re there to help you feel better and will be glad to make you more comfortable. After spending time at the hospital, you should be on the road to feeling better!

DON’t WORRY It may seem a little scary to go to a hospital, but doctors, nurses, and other hospital workers are there to help people who are sick or hurt feel better.

E R A U R O Y

CAN YOU HEAR ME? Sounds are everywhere, and you have two cool parts on your body that let you hear them all: your ears! What Are Ears and What Do They Do? The ear is made up of three different sections that work together to collect sounds and send them to the brain: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear.

The Outer Ear: Collecting Sounds The outer ear is made up of the pinna — also called the auricle (say: OR-ihkul) — and the ear canal. The pinna is the part of the ear you see on the side of your head. It's made of tough cartilage covered by skin. Its main job is to gather sounds and funnel them to the ear canal, which is the pathway that leads to the middle ear. Glands in the skin lining the ear canal make earwax, which protects the canal by cleaning out dirt and helping to prevent infections.

The Middle Ear: Good Vibrations

Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD Nemours Note: All information on KidsHealth® is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2020 The Nemours Foundation. All rights reserved.

The middle ear is an air-filled cavity that turns sound waves into vibrations and delivers them to the inner ear. The middle ear is separated from the outer ear by the eardrum, or tympanic (say: tim-PAN-ik) membrane, a thin piece of tissue stretched tight across the ear canal. Sounds hit the eardrum, making it move. This movement leads to vibrations of three very small bones in the middle ear known as the ossicles (say: AHsih-kuls).

THE OSSICLES ARE: • the malleus (say: MAH-lee-us) (“hammer”), which is attached to the eardrum • the incus (say: IN-kus) (“anvil”), which is attached to the malleus • the stapes (say: STAY-peez) (“stirrup”), which is attached to the incus and is the smallest bone in the body To hear properly, the pressure on both sides of your eardrum must be equal. When you go up or down in elevation, the air pressure changes and you may feel a popping sensation as your ears adjust. They adjust thanks to the narrow Eustachian (say: yoo-STAY-she-en) tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and acts as a sort of pressure valve, so the pressure stays balanced on both sides of the eardrum.

The Inner Ear: Nerve Signals Start Here

The vibrations from the middle ear change into nerve signals in the inner ear. The inner ear includes the cochlea (say: KOH-klee-uh) and the semicircular canals. The snail-shaped cochlea changes the vibrations from the middle ear into nerve signals. These signals travel to the brain along the cochlear nerve, also known as the auditory nerve. The semicircular canals look like three tiny connected tubes. It’s their job to help you balance. The canals are filled with fluid and lined with tiny hairs. When your head moves, the fluid in the canals sloshes around, moving the hairs. The hairs send this position information as signals through the vestibular (say: vehSTIB-yuh-ler) nerve to your brain. The brain interprets these signals and sends messages to the muscles that help keep you balanced.

When you spin around and stop, the reason you feel dizzy is because the fluid in your semicircular canals continues to slosh around for awhile, giving your brain the idea that you’re still spinning even when you aren’t. When the fluid stops moving, the dizziness goes away. The cochlear nerve, which is attached to the cochlea and sends sound information to the brain, and the vestibular nerve, which carries balance information from the semicircular canals to the brain, together make up the vestibulocochlear (say: vess-tib-yuh-loKOH-klee-er) nerve.

How Can I Keep My Ears Healthy? Take good care of your ears! Here are some smart steps: • Don’t stick things like cotton swabs and fingernails into them. Doing so can scratch the ear canal, push earwax deeper into the ear, and even rupture the eardrum. If earwax bothers you, talk to a parent, who can let your doctor know. • Protect your hearing. Turn down the volume on video games, TV and, especially, portable music players. Wear hearing protection (like earplugs or protective earmuffs/ headphones) if you’ll be around loud noises (at a concert, car race, etc.). Hearing damage builds over time. But it doesn’t take long for problems to develop. Tiny earbuds can harm your hearing as much as a large chainsaw. Keep this in mind when you reach to turn up the volume. If you have any trouble hearing, let your mom or dad know right away. They can take you to a doctor for a hearing test.

Games & Puzzles

DR. Chuckle’s WACKY RIDDLES Q:

A: Q:

What are the strongest days of the week? Saturday and Sunday. The rest are weak days.

SENSES EXPERIEMNT DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?

What animal can you always find at a baseball game? A bat!

How many sounds you can recognize?

What can you catch, but never throw? A cold!

• • • 1. 2. 3.

Which letter of the alphabet has the most water? The “C”!

Q: What gets wet while it’s drying? A: A towel! Q:

Why can’t your head be 12 inches long? Because then it would be a foot!

A friend or two A blindfold Stuff to make noise (coins to jingle in a jar, a book to close, hands to clap, paper to crumble, paper to rip, bubblegum to crack or pop, a ball to bounce, and supplies for any other sounds you want to make) Blindfold your friend. Make each noise. Ask your friend to guess what the noise is. How many did your friend guess right?

11 INCREDIBLE FACTS ABOUT THE WEATHER 1. Some tornadoes can be faster than Formula One race cars!

8. Clouds look white because they are reflecting sunlight from above them.

2. There are 2,000 thunderstorms on Earth every minute.

3. The wind is silent until it blows against something. 4. There are ice caves in Iceland that have hot springs. 5. The fastest recorded raindrop was 18 mph! 6. The US gets over 1200 tornadoes a year. 7.

Lightning can, in fact, strike twice.

Yuma, Arizona gets over 4000 hours of sunshine a year, making it the sunniest place on earth. The least sunny place is the South Pole, where the sun only shines on 182 days a year. (Which would you rather live in?)

10. Rain contains vitamin B12. 11. A bolt of lightning is five times hotter than the sun.