One of the problems with academic research as far as schools are concerned is that it’s generally either incomprehensible or too detailed. What the busy teacher who wants to address a particular problem needs is a quick summary of practical tips, with links to further research should the teacher wish to delve a bit deeper.

MeshGuides offer a solution, and there is now a timely guide on how germs spread — and how to teach good practice to children. I have just been sent the details by Dr. Sarah Younie, Professor of Education Innovation, De Montfort University, UK, who sent me the following press release from Marilyn Leask, Professor of Education at De Montfort University. Both are colleagues of mine on the committee of the Technology, Pedagogy and Education Association.

Educators have long known there is a problem with advice to schools, children and parents about catching and spreading viruses via hands and the importance of careful handwashing as a  preventive measure. A scientist Dr Katie Laird teamed up with educators Professor Sarah Younie at De Montfort Uni. to produce a MESHGuide for teachers of young children and the resources and ideas have been tested out in schools in three continents. The press release includes information for parents and practitioners in schools and early years settings about where and how to access free research-based information, advice and resources about how to avoid catching and passing on germs in the form of bacteria and viruses such as coronavirus.

Before coronavirus, in one of the UK schools where the Germ’s Journey work was being tested, at one time the school reported that 2/3 of the children - 70 of them were off at one time with a virus. It was this problem of viral transfer in schools that initially prompted the Germ’s Journey work and the relevant MESHguide – GERMS: Health education/science for Early Years.The intention of sending you this information is our shared interests of ‘spreading the word and not the disease’.

The guide may be found here: How Germs Spread. You can view it online and click the various boxes or, usefully, you can print it all out as one document.