Role Play Scenarios

Target group: older, active

Supplies: scenarios (see below or devise own scenarios based on common group situations) written on paper slips

Activity

• Explain they are going to be actors and will be acting out different situations.
• Divide into groups.
• Each group acts out the situation and their solution. They may choose to use Puff in their skit.
• Allow 10 minutes to prepare. After 10 minutes, ask each group to present the skit to the whole group.
• Allow the children to come up with their own perceptions of the solution, reinforce positive solutions, clarify and correct misconceptions or negative responses (see possible discussion points).
• You may choose to write down the main points on a flip chart or record in the Fun Book.
• Alternative: Discuss each scenario as a group.

Scenario 1

George wants Sally to enter a roller‑blade race with him. Sally has asthma and is concerned that the race may cause problems with her asthma.

Act out what Sally should do.

Discussion

1. Sally should participate.
2. Prepare for the race by getting in shape.
3. Ensure asthma is well controlled.
4. Prior to the race, warm up for 20 - 30 minutes, take medication (i.e. Ventolin) if required, and drink plenty of fluids.
5. Cool down after the race.

Encourage the children to write in their Fun Books what they will do if they are going to exercise.

Scenario 2

Mike really enjoys going to Jerry's house to play video games. Mike notices that:

• Jerry's father is smoking
• Jerry's mother is painting the kitchen
• a cat is curled up in the bedroom

Mike knows that all of these things cause his asthma to get worse. Mike is worried that Jerry will not understand.

Act out what Mike should do.

Discussion

1. The best way to control asthma is to avoid the triggers that cause asthma problems.
2. Mike could suggest alternative locations and activities.
3. Mike should help Jerry to understand, and explain that he enjoys being with him.
4. Mike should explain that his lungs are sensitive to things in his house and that they could make him very sick.
5. They will not stay and play video games.
   

Scenario 3

Nancy feels like she has a cold. Her father noticed that she is coughing and sneezing a lot. The last time she had a cold, she had to go to her doctor for asthma problems. Nancy and her father are not sure if she should go to school. They are concerned that she might get behind in her school work.

Act out what they should do.

Discussion

1. It is better to stay home from school in order to rest and prevent spreading the cold.
2. Following an action plan early will help prevent asthma problems (i.e. increase inhaled steroids until cold is better, increase fluids)
3. Request that the teacher provide her with school work to do at home.
4. Treat the asthma like a fire rather than a headache (actively and quickly respond, do not just wait for it to go away).

Scenario 4

John is playing baseball in the school yard. After running the bases, he becomes very short of breath and explains that it is his asthma. Meg and Lily try to help him.

Act out what they should do.

Discussion

1. Take your reliever medication with you wherever you go.
2. Use your reliever medication immediately.
3. Tell an adult that John needs help.
4. Stay calm, allow person to sit comfortably and breath slowly.
5. If the medication does not improve symptoms, call the ambulance (911 or ___).
6. If serious symptoms arise (blue lips or fingers, drowsiness, struggle to breathe, etc.), call for help right away.

Ask the children whether they think people could die of asthma? Discuss fear of death and how episodes can be prevented, i.e. preventer medication, warmup.

Additional Scenarios

• A friend invites you to come to the family cottage for the weekend. What questions should you ask about the cottage? Should you or should you not go?
• You are enrolled in swimming lessons but always cough when you get out of the pool after the lesson is over. What should you do? Do you have to stop lessons?
• You play soccer but have trouble keeping up with the play, especially in the second half of the game. What can you do?
  
• You are staying overnight at a friend’s house and you wake up in the middle of the night and it is hard to breathe. What would you do?
• You have just gotten off a roller coaster ride with a friend. When you get off you are having a hard time catching your breath. What should you do?
• You are going on a school trip to the zoo. Which puffer would you take with you? What triggers could be there?
• You are at school and you have just come in from recess on a cold winter’s day. You can’t stop coughing. What would you do? How would you prevent this from happening again?
• You need to use your puffer at school and you don’t have your aerochamber with you. What would you do?
• You are trying out for the cross country running team at school. You want to make the team really badly. While running you feel your chest getting tight and you are finding it difficult to breathe. What should you do? What would you tell you coach? Should you quit the team? What might prevent this next time?
• Can your friends get asthma from you? Is it contagious? Is anyone nervous about telling others they have asthma?
• You have had a cold and you have been taking your reliever and preventer puffers. Now your cough and cold are gone. Which puffer should you stop taking and why?
• Where do you store your puffers? Does it matter if they get hot or cold?
• You always have Sunday dinners at Grandma’s house. You love going there because it’s an old house in the country with an attic full of treasures. The next day you are always coughing more than usual. What could be the cause? What should you do about it?
• It’s your job to help vacuum the house. Afterwards you start to cough. What should you do? How can you prevent this from happening? Is there another job you could help with at home instead?