Ages 6 - 8

Decide what you’re going to say

You need to be prepared for questions, Why? Because our little ones are much smarter than we think. They have already absorbed some information. So, by sharing what you read here and by completing the activity sheets together, it's certain to raise some questions. That's a good thing, the more questions the better, just be prepared to answer any questions as honestly as possible to make most of the learning opportunity.

By thinking through what you’re going to say, it can help you stay calm. You will be ready to handle any questions the young ones might ask. So we suggest you check out our question prep (or ‘Answers at a Glance’ sheet) within this resource pack. We also suggest you read the Activity Sheets in this pack before sharing with your child. Keep reading; we’ve outlined some simple strategies to help you talk it through.

Decide WHEN to tell them and WHERE. If not, the questions may catch you off guard. It's better to be prepared. Choose a time and a place where everyone is more likely to feel calm and relaxed. Home is often the best place, just make sure to keep these resources handy- They will help you respond to questions.

Activities

We've constructed ten fun activities that are carefully designed to trigger questions and conversations about HD. Each activity reflects inspiring personality characteristics as displayed by the animal stickers.

Included below are the range of activities available for the 6-8 age group. You can download the activity pack online or purchase a printed copy.

Activity 1 - Read our storybook

_{For children up to 12 years}

Read our Storybook

Download storybook as .pdf or download storybook as .epub

Find a nice, quiet place – with a grown-up if you need help – and read the storybook Ned and Norma Gnome. It’s a fun story and a really helpful learning tool. When you’ve finished the storybook, please try out the quiz (at the back of the book). It’s best to do the quiz with a grown-up. Also, just like the story suggests, why not write a letter to Ned and Norma at Gnome HQ! They would both love to hear from you : )

Download the Activity Pack

Activity 2 - My HD Helping Hand

_{For ages 3 to 12 years}

My HD Helping Hand

Who can you talk to about Huntington's? You can include your family's contact and/ or a youth worker at Huntington's WA.

Grab a pen or coloured marker and some paper. Then trace around the shape of your hand. After you have done that, fill in the 5 people who are your helping hand. Finally, add some colour and make it your own - Then pin it up somewhere in your room as a good reminder to keep talking.

Download the Activity Pack

Activity 3 - Make your own Wow! Wall!!

_{For ages 3 to 12 years}

Make your own Wow! Wall!!

Ask a grown-up for permission to use a wall - or section of a wall. Then with some blu-tak, make yourself a huge wall that shows how awesome you are.

Download the Activity Pack

Activity 4 - Funny Face Charades

_{For ages 3 to 12 years}

Funny Face Charades

Cut out the different faces so you have 20 separate squares. Place them upside down so you can't see the faces and mix the order up. Take turns in picking up a card and 'act out' the funny face to your family. The people watching must guess what type of expression is on your face. Take turns and share the fun.

Download the Activity Pack

Activity 5 - Acts of Kindness

_{For ages 6 and up}

Acts of Kindness

Seeing the unique and special things in others can help us see our own special talents.

Cut out the coloured slips and give them to all the important people in your life. You can give them to your best friend, cousin, a cool grow-up or your next-door neighbour.

Just write their name and let them know how special they are to you!

Download the Activity Pack

Activity 8 - Create a Time Capsule

_{For all ages}

Create a Time Capsule

This is a fun activity for everyone... to start, simply find a waterproof container.

You can like a lunch box. Or maybe an empty tin with a lid. How about some old jam jars? Give them a clean and you're ready to go!

The idea is to bury the Time Capsule full of interesting things. What would you like your relatives to dig up and find in 10 years' time?

Why not ask everyone in your family to put one item each into the capsule?

Here's a list of ideas to get you going:

A letter to yourself in the future
Newspaper clippings
Magazines
Predictions of the future
Your favourite music tracks
Photos
Coins

Download the Activity Pack

Activity 9 - For Someone Special

_{For ages 4 to 12}

For Someone Special

Can you think of someone special to you that might need cheering up?

Maybe you know someone who isn't well, or maybe they're just feeling a bit down at the moment. What do you love about them? Why not tell them by using our word template 'I LOVE YOU BECAUSE'. Write a couple of words to complete the sentence, then decorate the words in a style you think they'd like... Have fun, maybe take some leaves from the garden, or sequins or buttons. Or keep it simple with coloured markers, pencils or crayons.

Download the Activity Pack

Activity 10 - Huge Bag of Worries

_{For all ages}

Huge Bag of Worries

To get started, find a copy of the fantastic book called 'Bag of Worries' by Virginia Ironside.

As a grown-up to see if there's a copy at the library. Or you can read it through YouTube here: Huge Bag of Worries

Then, use the picture here to make your own bag of worries. Before you fill it in, ask yourself what's on your mind at the moment?

Is there someone in your family you think about a lot?
Do you worry about what's coming next? Or do you worry about what's already happened?

Once you have the answers to that question, try and draw them inside the bag:

What do the worries look like?
Are they sharp and prickly? or are they smooth and fluffy?
What colour are they? if it's a worry that's too big to fit in the bag, just describe the words.

Download the Activity Pack

Purchase your Family Resource Pack

Awkward Questions: Answers at a Glance

What is Genetic Testing?

Suggestions from Huntington's WA:

HDYO have awesome information https://en.hdyo.org/eve/articles/53

It's important everyone talks to a specialist counsellor before deciding whether to be tested. Counsellors help you think through everything so you can make the best decision.

Why has our family got Huntington's?

Suggestions from Huntington's WA:

No one did anything wrong. Unfortunately HD runs in families, it's in the family genes.

Is Aunty/Uncle going to get better?

Suggestions from Huntington's WA:

They are not going to get better, but there are lots of things we can do as a family to help them.

It's totally normal to feel sad, confused or even angry about this.

When a Doctor says someone is gene positive it means later in life they will develope Huntington's symptoms.

Is there a cure?

Suggestions from Huntington's WA:

There is no cure for Huntington's yet. There are lots of things that make living with HD easier, like

Doctors and nurses can give medicines
Huntington's organisations and HDYO can help everyone affected by HD in the family with information and support
Family and friends can show their love and understanding - check out Activity 5 in this pack!

Is Mummy going to get it?

Suggestions from Huntington's WA:

We're not sure...
OR
Yes Mummy is gene positive...
OR
No the gene comes from Daddy's side of the family...

Explain as much as you can about your family's story, maybe take some time out with another adult in the family to remember the 'good times' as well as anything relating to HD.

You could even draw a family tree, or add some photos or drawings.

Am I going to get it?

Suggestions from Huntington's WA:

No one will know unless you have a test, which isn't for a long time yet.

Who's going to look after me?

Suggestions from Huntington's WA:

We love/care for you so much, we will make sure there is always someone here to look after you.

Coming from a HD family can be very complicated. It can be very difficult at times but things are easier if we are there for each other.

Try Activity 2: The Helping Hand