How do you explain type 1 diabetes to children? In this fun game of Diabetes Tag the children play the roles of energy, type 1 diabetes and insulin respectively, actively using their own bodies to understand what diabetes does to the body.

Teaching the activty
The activity begins with an introduction to type 1 diabetes. It is important that this introduction is given by a knowledgeable person who can provide a correct explanation to the children. The children need to be told about the effects of energy and insulin on the body in relation to type 1 diabetes if they are to benefit fully from the game.

‘Definition of roles in Diabetes Tag’ gives the children a basic understanding of type 1 diabetes, insulin, and the role of food. However, this should be supplemented with a more thorough explanation, and it is important that the children are given the opportunity to have their questions about type 1 diabetes answered in connection with the game.

See the step-by-step guide (PDF) for detailed information on how to implement the activity.

The activity lasts approx 30 minutes.

Other activity suggestions
The game can be supplemented with the Test Your Packed Lunch or Food Hunt activities, in which the children can learn about the importance of a healthy diet for type 1 diabetes and other lifestyle diseases. The game can also be supplemented with the comic strip The Extraordinary League.

Tools

• Team vests or scarves for the children
• Definition of roles in Diabetes Tag
• Pitch markings

Educational goals
The aim of this activity is to get the children to understand type 1 diabetes by means of a game. Learning through play is a good way of acquiring new knowledge. Diabetes Tag shows in simplified form what happens in the body of a person with type 1 diabetes. The game works best as part of a series of lessons on type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes Tag is a good way of getting healthy children to understand the situation facing classmates or relatives with type 1 diabetes.

References

• www.diabetes.org