Kinder kids in Melbourne lock-down zone to receive germ-safe book

16 July 2020

MEDIA RELEASE 

KINDER KIDS IN MELBOURNE LOCK-DOWN TO RECEIVE FREE GERM-SMART BOOK

As metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire settle into a second lock-down and anxiety levels in children are high, a new book – to be made available to every kinder-aged child in the zone – aims to help children navigate through this uncertain time and better understand their role in being germ-smart.

SeeMore Bug Safety – the tiny germs you can’t see was created by Dr Susie O’Neill, KIDS Foundation Founder and CEO in March this year, when it became clear that child-friendly resources aimed at helping children to understand the Coronavirus were not readily available.

This colourful education resource - the latest book in the SeeMore Safety series - provides ways to ease uncertainty in children, while giving practical ideas for how they can help prevent the spread of viral bugs.

Our organisation has been educating and empowering children to keep themselves and others safe and injury free for almost three decades. We do this predominately through our internationally recognised SeeMore Safety Education Program. A close working relationship with early educators from all over Australia meant that we heard their concerns about children feeling worried and anxious when it came to Coronavirus. 

As a result, we distributed a classroom copy of SeeMore Bug Safety – the tiny germs you can’t see for free to 10,000 kindergartens and early learning centres in Australia. Now with so many Victorians facing the prospect of further long-term lock-down measures, we want to each child attending kindergarten in affected suburbs to have their own copy.”

Dr Susie O'Neill

KIDS Foundation CEO + Founder

This initiative has been made possible with funding received from Harris Plumbing Trade Supplies, a KIDS Foundation generous partner. Managing Director Anthony Abbey understands the impact of another lock-down, and is thrilled to support children in affected areas. 

“Our business is located in the restricted zone and it’s great to know that with our help KIDS is providing practical tools for children who are finding COVID-19 a little overwhelming” says Mr Abbey.