Young Children & Ministry

Illnesses, Death and Dying

Instructor: Jovonni T. Farrington

Pre-Reading Assignment

Prior to this lesson you should have read chapter 5 in Tackling Tough Issues.

Use highlighters, write notes in the margin and other study habits to help you understand,

recall and learn this information. It is important for this course, but more than that it is important for the children’s lives

you will impact.

Introduction This area of ministry with children is very important. Children do not typically understand all the issues that

may exist in dealing with illnesses and death. Children experience so many emotions, mostly

associated with their parents emotions. This chapter deals intimately with different areas of the

body and possible illness that children may contract. More importantly it deals with helping children

understand the world that God has made, as it exists. The more comfortable you are with sharing with children,

the more open the will feel about expressing their feelings and asking questions.

This aims to give some basic information, not to be used as medical advice.

Integumentary System

The integumentary system includes the skin, hair and nails.

Integumentary System

Bacterial Infections1. Strep Germs2. Boils3. Abscesses4. Cellulitis5. MRSA6. Staph infections

Integumentary System

Viral Infections1. Cold sores2. Fever blisters

Integumentary System

Fungus Infections1. Athlete’s Foot2. Ringworm

Integumentary System

Insect bitesWhile mosquitoes, horse flies, chiggers,

wasps, bees, spiders, and ticks are commonly thought of as insect bites or

stings that children may get. However, in your local area there may be more. Contact

your local poison control to find out what local insects are poisonous and commonly found in your area. Insect bites if a child has an allergy can be a matter of life or

death.

Integumentary SystemPlant irritants

Poison ivy, sumac and oak are very commonly found. Children who are playing outside may accidentally

playing around these plants. Likewise, young children may eat plants that are outside. Children also have

the tendency to place objects in their nose and ears. These irritants may cause additional issues. Contact your local poison control to find out what local plants are poisonous and are commonly found. Keeping the

children informed of these things, may help them make better or more careful decisions.

Integumentary SystemAccidents and Injuries

Among children the most common accidents are burns. The most common injuries are

lacerations (cuts) and bruises. Burns should always be checked out by a medical

professional. Information on burns and burn care can be found at your local hospital or

burn unit. However, do not attempt to treat burns without the assistance of a medical professional. Burns can cause permanent damage if not treated immediately and

properly.

Integumentary SystemAccidents and Injuries

Lacerations are cuts or scrapes. On the skin this may be a simple as a scrape or as complex as a deep laceration

where the bone is exposed. If you have any reservations as to the depth and seriousness of the laceration proceed to your call your pediatrician or

proceed to the local emergency room, urgent care, or clinic. Derma-Bond and suturing are commonly used

to treat lacerations. Also local anesthetics may be used to help minimize pain. Keeping the child calm

and entertained is very important.

Musculoskeletal System

The musculoskeletal system includes the bones, joints, tendons, and

muscles.

Musculoskeletal System

Bacterial Infections

Infections of the bone

Musculoskeletal System

Viral InfectionsAching muscles and joints are common in

adults. However, when children have pain in their joints, they do not always know the

appropriate ways to express this information. If a child express continued

symptoms over an extended period of time, do not hesitate to take them to their

pediatrician. Inform the pediatrician of all the symptoms and complaints that the child

is having.

Musculoskeletal SystemInjuries

Bumps, sprains, strains and fractures are very common among young children. If a child falls, bumps or twists an area do not try to determine if it is broken. Instead if the child expresses pain, there is swelling present

and/or any distortion take them to the pediatrician or the emergency room, urgent care or clinic. Fractures

of the hands/feet of young children may be misleading and from the outside harder to determine. Taking a for an X-Ray to rule of the possibility of a fracture is

very important.The important thing to remember with swelling

associated with sprains, strains, bruises and fractures is ice and elevation.

Musculoskeletal SystemTumors

While these must be determined by a physician and X-Ray or CT Scan can confirm

any suspicions. While tumors and cancer are a devastating diagnosis both prayer

and proper medical treatment are important. Keeping the child calm and

prayerful is important. Likewise, a parent and other adults around the child remaining

calm is important. Helping the child understand and allowing the to help plan

their treatment is also important.

Endocrine System

The endocrine system includes the pituitary gland, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands, ovaries/testes, and

pancreas.

Endocrine System

DiabetesDiabetes in young children is becoming a more common illness and issue. If a child in your Sunday School, classroom, family and

a child of your own has been diagnosed with diabetes there is a lot of information on ways that adults can help. Also helping

the child understand that this is not a punishment from God. Instead help them

understand their illness and ways to maintain their health.

Digestive System

The digestive system includes the stomach, intestines, and digestive

organs.

Digestive SystemVomiting and Diarrhea

Vomiting and diarrhea are very common issues in young children. While there are occasions when this may be

so serious a child needs surgery typically vomiting and diarrhea are not deadly. However, persistent

vomiting and diarrhea may lead to severe dehydration. Nevertheless, if a child has either

symptom mildly for longer than one or two days, it may be appropriate to contact the pediatrician. If it is

severe contact the pediatrician right away. If you suspect that a child has ingested a toxic substance

contact poison control immediately.

Digestive SystemEating

Children that are eating more than expected or less than expected may be a sign of eating disorder or illness. Monitoring weight gain and loss in young children is

very important to determine if there is a larger medical issue. Contact the pediatrician if the child’s

eating habits are consistently an issue. If this is a child in your class or Sunday School, first speak to the

parents to determine if the behavior is abnormal or typical of this child. Part of this is to verify that there

is an issue both at home and school. Perhaps it is merely an issue of the child not desiring certain foods. It if critically important to be a team in this area rather than being suggestive of issues that child may have.

Circulatory System

The circulatory system includes the heart and blood vessels.

Circulatory System

There are issues that are common issues in children and issues that are less common. Some children are born with these circulatory system issues,

others acquire them after birth. Contact the pediatrician if you

suspect circulatory issues with young children.

Respiratory System

The respiratory system includes nose, throat, lungs, and their branches.

Respiratory System

Common issues with the respiratory system are croup, asthma, and upper respiratory infections. These can be

treated quite simply under the care of a pediatrician or pulmanologist.

Respiratory System

Accidents and Injuries Accidents and injuries among young children

that affect the respiratory system include choking and swallowing foreign objects. The

Samantha Foundation assists in helping parents, families, schools, teachers help

prevent many of these issues and make the environment safer for children.

Nervous System

The nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord and nerves.

Nervous System

Injuries of the nervous system could be very important and very dangerous. Any injury

of the head, neck, or back should be considered serious and the parents and

pediatrician should be contacted immediately. If the pediatrician is not

available go immediately the emergency room. It is better to take precaution than to

assume it is nothing and have serious, irreversible, permanent damage.

Death Helping children understand death is very challenging. There are many resources available to help children

understand. Children need to understand that death is a part of

God’s plan. They need to understand that when people leave this

Earth they go to be home with the Lord. Likewise when a pet dies children need to understand

this is also a part of the circle of life. Just as we live we must also die. We love God and when we die we go home to live with Jesus.

Children Dying When a child dies it is the most horrid feeling for the

parents. Siblings or other family members that are children

may have a difficult time understanding or coping. The parents reaction will definitely affect how the

children react. As much preparation beforehand will help the child

express any fears, concerns and ask questions. Listening to the child’s heart may help you understand

what they genuinely need. When a child is dying, a sibling is dying or a young

family member is dying in a hospital you may want to seek a Child Life Specialist to help and provide resources.

Disabilities

Children are born with some disabilities, others are acquired through accidents

and injuries. There are different resources, support groups, parent

support groups, and play groups for the children. Most of the resources for

these children are free. Therapy is also available to these children through different organizations.

Disabilities

Disabilities are often very for parents to deal with. There are a series of

resources available to parents to help them discuss their emotions,

disappointment, hurts, fears and genuine concerns. This is also a great opportunity to network and find other

resources.

Assignment

1. Reread any sections in chapter 5 that were unclear.

2. Do application and reflection.3. Review the difference between viral

and bacterial meningitis. Review pp.89-93.