Explaining asthma to younger children

For young children, asthma is a frightening experience and for parents it can be difficult to explain what’s going on. It is hoped that through this website that you may be in a better position to explain to your child, what is happening to him or her.

It is best to talk to your child about asthma in your own way but here is one method for you:

Explaining how air gets into the lungs demonstrate by using a balloon, this is blown up and let down (inhaling and exhaling). Attach the balloon to a straw to show the bronchi, which are like long tubes. When a person has asthma, the bronchi constrict or become narrowed. Pinch or squeeze the straw slightly to show the restriction of airflow. Because the bronchi (straw) are narrower than usual, it becomes more difficult to breathe air out of the lungs (balloons). You can also show them that it takes longer to exhale than normal and that it makes more noise.

Don’t use vague expressions in describing your child’s condition. Use the word asthma to describe the condition. The child may know of another child with asthma, and be able to relate to him or her.

Children may become frightened by the fact they cannot breathe but if they see that their parents are frightened then it will make them worse. Asthmatic children should not be deliberately frightened about how serious asthma can be and it is helpful if the care-giver remains calm during an attack. While thousand's die of asthma each year world-wide, the greatest percentage of these people are elderly and have been asthmatics for many years. It is actually quite rare for a child to die of asthma.