For a few days in February, the sounds of laughter and excited chatter could be heard as the children of faculty and staff participated in an unforgettable learning experience in the Ingram School of Nursing's Satoko Shibata Clinical Nursing Laboratories. Affectionately referred to as Children’s Week, this activity provided students with the unique opportunity to consolidate their learning about pediatrics by performing well visits on children under the age of 12.
Divided into small groups, the students interacted with one child at a time, chatting and playing with them, letting them handle instruments like stethoscopes, and gaining their trust. They proceeded to take a health history and conduct a physical assessment typical of primary care well visits – listening to the heart, lungs and abdomen, taking vital signs such as blood pressure, and testing reflexes. “For the most part, the children were happy to be there and cooperative, but it was also good practice for the students to learn how to engage with children who required more coaxing,” explains Faculty Lecturer Catherine Leblanc, who coordinated the BScN and DE sessions.
Lab educator Dajena Victor agrees, adding that having the children present changes the atmosphere in the lab while keeping the students on their toes
Unfortunately, due to the severe ice and wind storm, the children’s visits scheduled for the BNI students for March 11-13 were cancelled, leading to much disappointment for everyone involved. “A great deal of planning goes into organizing these events,” says Faculty Lecturer Allyssa Zeagman, who was responsible for the BNI sessions. “Our thanks go to lab technician Luisa de Marte, who coordinated the logistics across both programs, communicating regularly with parents and lab educators as she booked the children’s visits. A big thank you as well to BNI lab facilitators Emilie Villeneuve, Ginette Aucoin, Jorge Antonio, and Anna Griffin.”
“We are deeply grateful to the many parents who eagerly offered their time and the enthusiastic child volunteers for answering the call. Their willingness to participate is what truly brings these learning experiences to life for our students,” concludes Allyssa Zeagman.
As for the children, here is what they had to say about the experience:
« C'était cool, et j'ai appris plein de choses en plus! » - Thomas, 9 years old
« Les étudiants sont trop gentils! J'aime ça parce qu'ils nous posent mille questions!!! » - Émilie, 7 years old
“It’s fun to show the students how to do the assessments!!!!!” - Liliana, 5 years old
Photo credit: Junan Alam
