This year my class of 23 Young 5’s includes a cognitively impaired
child. Because she
can participate in and learn from much of our day, including songs, movement
and table activities I’m pleased to have her with us for most of the day.
As cooler winter arrives in Michigan the cold and flu season
has arrived. This child doesn’t notice
her nose needs to be blown and unfortunately when it does she begins to lick
her lips and upper lip. Not only is it
huge hygiene problem, it is causing her to get a very chapped mouth.
After getting her mother’s permission I undertook a regimen
to alleviate this condition before the dry school heating system causes her
greater discomfort. I set a timer and
each time it goes off I ask her to blow her nose and then I apply lip balm. After just a few days, her lips are no longer
chapped and red. Because she eats many
inappropriate items I store the Chap Stick on my desk. I lay it along the top row of keys on my
keyboard.
This morning as I sat at my computer without thinking I applied
some Chap Stick. I’m sure my howl could
be heard down the hall as I realized my good intentions had just collided with
my lips.
