Through our work with primary schools on other issue-based projects, we had an overwhelming request from teachers for a drugs awareness play for younger children. Research shows that children learn about alcohol from a very young age and are forming attitudes about drinking from as young as five years old. In a survey of 5-10 year olds 96% were able to recognise the effects of drunkenness and 90% were able to identify beer and/or whisky by smell alone. Given that over 90% of adults drink, it is hardly surprising that children should be aware about alcohol and drinking. By the age of 7 most children have tasted an alcoholic drink.
‘It’s Your Body’ is aimed at infant school children and tackles the basic questions asked by this age group about the various substances which go both into and onto the body.
It is vital that children understand the power they have to make simple choices that can improve their health throughout the whole of their lives. With the ever expanding children’s pharmaceutical market, children are continually exposed to advertisements for a baffling array of products and substances that can be hard enough for an adult to make sense of, let alone a child.
‘It’s Your Body’ aims to help pupils understand that all medicines are drugs but not all drugs are medicines. Whether it be a bottle of Calpol or a packet of cigarettes, every child should understand the risks involved with substance use and abuse. This is an introduction to the concept of making healthy choices whilst always making it clear the importance of asking for the help of a responsible adult and reading instructions carefully.
The main narrative is based around the story of Cinderella. Cindy lives with her two elder sisters Fagita and Zitora. They are preparing themselves to audition for a brand new pop band. Unfortunately through a combination of bad diet, smoking, drinking and too much unprotected exposure to sun, the sisters are not the most beautiful of creatures. Nevertheless they are confident of their chances and leave sad Cindy behind on her own as she is not feeling well. But Cindy need not worry, the Fairy God-Doctor appears giving her new hope by encouraging her to ask for help and telling her of various medicines which could restore her to health. She WILL go to the audition after all but Cindy must remember to leave by midday to be in time for her injection appointment.
Cindy (along with our infant audience) picks up the dance routine a treat leaving her sisters lagging behind, but she has to leave the audition without giving her name. In her rush she drops her bottle of medicine which is quickly picked up by the band manager. The person that knows what to do with this strange and magical 'Calpol’ will secure their place in the band and he embarks on a search for his new star.
Along the way we also meet The Simpson's, the Tellytubbies and play the new Saturday morning game show with its special theme of how to keep healthy and combat illness.
Running at twenty minutes and ending with a sing-along, ‘It’s Your Body’ is perfectly designed for this age group and guarantees a load of fun whilst throwing up some crucial questions for the children to ponder on the importance of good health and the control they have over it.
This production is accompanied by a resource pack for teachers that contains ideas for lessons that can be undertaken in class in preparation for Chain Reaction’s visit, ideas for follow up work, information about individual drugs key for this age group and contacts for further information. The pack is designed in line with the National Curriculum, Every Child Matters and the National Drug Strategy.
'Its Your Body' was written by Peter Tennant. Its development was funded by the Barking and Dagenham Drugs Action Team.
