Head Start
CLASSROOM EXERCISES
One important way to keep children healthy is to teach them how to avoid lead hazards in and around
their homes. This story is intended for children between the ages of 3 and 6 years old. Lead interferes with
the development and functioning of almost all body organs, particularly the kidneys, red blood cells, and
central nervous system. The following story should be performed as a puppet show to illustrate important
behaviors children should learn to avoid lead hazards. You will need three socks or paper bags to create
the three characters — Buster D. Lead, Dusty, and Chip.
After reading the story, children
should be able to know:
Who Chip and Dusty are
Where Chip and Dusty can be found
How they can get sick
The three rules:
1 - Stay away from Chip and Dusty,
2 - Don't play near windows, and
3 - Wash your hands before you eat.
Buster D. Lead
Chip
Dusty
The following questions and answers also are
important for children to learn:
1) Name three things you can get lead
poisoning from?
Answer: paint chips, dust from lead-paint, and dirt.
2) Demonstrate at least two behaviors that
will help prevent lead poisoning.
Answer: Wash your hands and toys. Eat foods that contain cal-
cium and iron.
3) Can you name any foods that are rich in iron
and will help prevent children's
bodies from absorbing lead?
Answer: Red meat and green leafy vegetables (Spinach).
4) Can you name any foods that are rich in
calcium that will help prevent children's bod-
ies from absorbing lead?
Answer: Yogurt, milk, and cheese.
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GET THE LEAD OUT WITH CHIP AND DUSTY
Buster's Line: Hi kids! I'm Buster D. Lead, and I'm here to help you protect yourself
against the lead paint bad guys, Chip & Dusty!
Look! Here they come now!
Action: Chip & Dusty enter; Buster leaves
Chip's Line: Hey everybody! I'm Chip. I'm a piece of lead paint that has broken off
of a wall or window. If a child picks up a paint chip and puts it in his mouth, it could
make her VERY sick!
Dusty's Line: Hi, kids! I'm Dusty. You can't see lead dust because it's really, really
small. I hide on the floors or windows, and I can make you really sick too, if you play
with a toy on the floor and put it in your mouth, or eat while you're near me!
Action: Buster enters; Chip and Dusty leave
Buster's Line: Thanks, you guys! You see, kids, lead paint is something that can make
you very sick. Now we're going to do a little play so YOU can tell me what to do to
protect myself against Chip & Dusty! I'm going to go over to Chip & Dusty. You don't
want me to do that because being near, or playing with, lead paint can make you very
sick, and make it harder for you to learn. You don't want that to happen, right? Right!!!
Good, now let's practice. I'll go play next to Chip & Dusty and when I do, say
STAY AWAY FROM CHIP AND DUSTY! Now let's try it.
Buster starts to play with a toy in a window, and Chip & Dusty go over to him. Children
are prompted to say STAY AWAY FROM CHIP AND DUSTY! When Buster continues.
Action: Buster runs from Chip & Dusty, and Buster applauds their actions.
Buster's Line: Great job, kids! That's what you do when Chip & Dusty are around.
Let's try this again. Only this time, I'll be playing on the floor because lead dust and
chips also get on the floor and can get inside you if you put your hands or toys in
your mouth!
Buster gets down on the floor and plays with his toy, then gets ready to put it in his
mouth as Chip & Dusty sprinkle paint chips and dust on the floor. Children are again
prompted to say STAY AWAY FROM CHIP AND DUSTY! when Buster continues.
Great job, kids! What do we say when children play near lead paint?
ALL: STAY AWAY FROM CHIP & DUSTY!
Action: Chip & Dusty run from the room.
Very good, kids! Now you all know what to do when lead paint is around!
LEAD
Awareness
Program
*t PR
For more information about lead poisoning, visit EPffs Vlfeb site at
www.epa.gov/lead or call The National Lead Information Center at
1-800-424-LEAD (5323).
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