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Kids are interested in more than snot and poo, says CBeebies’ Dr Ranj
Children’s TV favourite will be answering questions from pupils and parents at Burgess Hill Girls Open Day
Children’s health and wellbeing will be on the timetable when CBeebies’ resident doctor Dr Ranj makes an appearance at Burgess Hill Girls’ Junior School on 4 March to answer questions from children and their parents.
Dr Ranj – full name Ranj Singu – is a NHS paediatrician best known as co-creator and presenter of the pioneering CBeebies' show Get Well Soon. He also has a children’s health slot on ITV This Morning.
‘I’m really looking forward to meeting children and parents at Burgess Hill Girls,’ said Dr Ranj.
‘There are so many questions that children want to ask. Yes, some of them are inevitably about snot and poo, but there may well be someone who wants to find out more about why they’re lactose intolerant or have diabetes.
He added: ‘Even very young children often have a surprisingly sophisticated understanding of their health conditions. Children need to have access to reliable information about their health, just as much as adults. Too often children see a trip to the doctor as something to be frightened of, but if they have the right information we can put their minds at ease.'
Dr Ranj said he’d be surprised if parents didn’t ask him about child obesity, which is the number one challenge facing the NHS, with a report last year saying that 9.3% of four- and five-year-olds in primary reception class in England are classed as obese.
‘It’s so important that we support mums and dads to help their children on this,’ he said. ‘Being told that your child is overweight can be difficult, but it's also important to be honest and work together to find solutions. Likewise, it’s just as important that children understand that it is important to be healthy rather than focusing on the “right” weight.'
Burgess Hill Junior School headteacher Heather Cavanagh said: ‘It’s a real thrill to have Dr Ranj with us at our open day. As a parent, I know that the opportunity to ask a doctor about the health issues that are bothering our children is invaluable. And, of course, as it’s Dr Ranj, it will be fun, too!
She added: ‘The theme of the day is children’s health and wellbeing – so that covers just about everything!’
Dr Ranj will be at Burgess Hill Girls Nursery, Infant and Junior Open Day at 9.30am on 4 March. To find out more and to register to attend, phone 01444 241050 or register online here