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I spent most of Thursday moving from one kindergarten class to the next, demonstrating proper oral hygiene with the help of Mr Monster and the Plaque Attack. The kids at the end of the day got a totally different message than my first group:
ME: “Does everyone have a toothbrush? If so, does it look kind of like this [I hold up Big Blue]?”
Approx 1/3 of the class- “YESSSSSS!!”
The other 2/3: “Nooooo, mine is not like that. Mine is (blue! Purple! Superman! RAAAIIINNNBOOOWWW!!)!!
ME: “Yes Dudley, if we don’t brush our teeth, it IS possible for our teeth to fall out [there is a brief but distinct sucking sound as all 20 kids open their mouths at the exact same time]
Approx 1/3 of the children- “TEACHER! (or DOCTOR! or SARA!!) ILOSTTHISTOOTHRIGHTHERE!! SEE? SEE IT?”
Approx 2/3 of the class- “TEACHER! (or DOCTOR! or SARA!!) THISTOOTHISLOOSE! RIGHT HERE! I’MLOSINGITSOON!! RIGHT HERE! SEE IT? NURSE! SEE MY LOOSE TOOTH?”
It took a nanosecond to realize these errors and several hours to extract myself from them. Okay, maybe it just felt like hours. Anyway, the kids all took turns brushing the monster’s teeth and it was very cute and civilized.
Until one of the disgruntled students who had already had her turn stated loudly (and repeatedly), “I think his teeth look pretty clean. Yep! They sure look clean to me!” She had apparently moved on to the next big thing. Whatevs. NBD. I can deal with the rejection, but I think Mr. Monster’s smile looks a little forced. Poor guy.
Minor Emergencies 