Kindergartners had a familiar companion as they entered their classrooms on March 24 at Forest Lake Elementary School – their favorite stuffed animals. They were ready for the teddy bear clinic, an informative, hands-on program in which they learned to be healthy and safe.

Stacey Pinto, injury prevention coordinator at Good Samaritan Hospital, visited the three kindergarten classes, beginning each session with a health and safety discussion. She talked to students about the importance of using their seatbelts in the car and on the bus, wearing a helmet when biking, and overall safety tips when outside playing. The program was timed for the arrival of spring, when children resume going outdoors to play.

Children then had a chance to play doctor or nurse and care for their favorite stuffed animals. They brought in teddy bears, unicorns, cats, dogs, superheroes and more. Ms. Pinto provided each child with a scrub hat and gloves, as well as a bandage, gauze, tongue depressor and medical tape. Just like real medical professionals, kindergartners filled out paperwork with a diagnosis and treatment plan. Parent volunteers assisted with the teddy bear clinic.