Real-Life Communication -- Solution
You know that the more kids know about this, the less likely they might be to tease Andrew. You've come up with a simple explanation that you hope will help the kids understand their new friend's special needs.
"We all need a certain amount of sugar in our bodies. Sugar gives us energy to play and think! Andrew has a disease called diabetes, which means his body needs help to make sure he has the right amount of sugar in his blood.
"If he has too much or too little sugar, he could get very sick, but as long as he takes his medicine and eats the right things, he's as healthy as you and me. His medicine is called insulin and he takes it with a needle twice a day."
You explain the situation to the children and Andrew is able to fit into the group.
Communicating isn't always easy in child care, with all the people coming and going.
Beyond the day-care center, child-care workers need to provide a strong voice for the field. Strong written and verbal communication skills help the workers fight for more recognition and higher wages.
According to Larry Brown, who owns a day care, child-care workers should be able to speak positively about the field under any circumstances. Occasionally, he attends seminars. "It is this kind of advocacy that can make a difference," he says.