How our Pulse Works

If you can find some toothpicks (mine were acquired from a cafe as I got my coffee en route to a school that said "bring your own work") and some blu tack, (don't be afraid to use the posters in the room, you're going to put it back) play dough, plasticine or mini marshmallows (being aware they contain gelatine which will not be suitable for vegetarian/ kosher/ halal children) you've all you need for a fun lesson on our pulse.

Make a spider map on hearts with the children and explain the feature of the heart we're learning about is the pulse. See what they already know about the pulse and explain as necessary. 

You can get them to run in the spot or even put in some music if you've got it from them to have a little dance. When they freeze, they need to observe the effect moving has on their body. We breathe faster, our hearts beat faster and we feel hot- we use more fuel- just like a car going fast! We need more blood pumping around. Based on their age group, discuss oxygen in the blood which is why we breathe so fast.  Can they check their pulse? Is it tricky? Let's find another way to check:

1. Take some blu tack it's substitute (about the size of a baked bean) and put your toothpick in it. It should look a bit like a mini toffee apple

2. Turn your wrist over and on the same side as your thumb, just under where your palm ends and your wrist begins, put your mini toffee apple and watch!

3. When it is in the right spot it will very slightly bob up and down with your pulse.

You can bring in stopwatches and timers to see how many times their heart beats in a minute as well.