As you know, when dealing with diabetes it is very important to regulate blood sugar levels to avoid complications; otherwise hypoglycaemia can occur. This does not only create problems for the child, but also for parents and guardians.

This game should help parents and guardians manage these situations.

The younger the diabetic child is, the more difficult it is for them to recognize the onset of a hypoglycaemic reaction and inform their parents or other adults. The children usually “feel funny“ or are so absorbed in other activities that they don´t even notice the initial symptoms. It is usually the parents who observe the onset of a hypoglycaemic reaction. In the case of very young children it is also the parents, guardians or doctors who treat hypoglycaemia by giving them carbohydrates after performing a blood sugar test, if possible.

How do children experience hypoglycaemia?

Children are usually so absorbed in their games that they forget what´s going on around them. This is why it is so difficult for them to recognize the symptoms of a hypoglycaemic reaction. Many children cannot understand why parents have to interrupt their fascinating activities „just“ to measure their blood sugar levels, and react defiantly.

A fun way to learn about hypoglycaemia.

This memory game playfully helps children to recognize and treat each symptom of hypoglycaemia, step-by-step. Despite diverse symptoms, a hypoglycaemic reaction follows a similiar pattern which can be practised with children in this game.

We hope that this game enables parents and their children to cope better with hypoglycaemia – and have fun in the process!

Prof. (med) Wolfgang Hagge Béla Bartus, Phd

Please Note: Hypoglycaemia is one of the most common side-effects of insulin treatment.

Each case is individual and side effects cannot always be avoided. It is important to discuss this problem with the children´s diabetic consultant and his team.

The idea of the game is to playfully teach children how to deal with hypoglycaemia. The pictures illustrate typical hypoglycaemia situations and playfully offer solutions.

OBJECT OF THE GAME:

There are 8 different picture stories (4 for boys, 4 for girls) on the following themes: “Eating“, “Exercise“, “Hobbies“ and “TV“.

The aim of the game is to lay out the picture story in the proper sequence 1-5 from the cards which are laid face-down on the table, and collect „Smileys“ along the way.

The child with the most „Smileys“ is the winner.

PREPARATION:

Before the first game carefully remove the “Smiley“ chips from the perforated sheet.

Assemble the spinner by pushing the pin through the bottom of the board. Then place the arrow on top and secure it with the cap:

The “Smileys“ are placed within easy reach of all players.

THE PICTURE STORIES:

Each of the 8 picture stories consists of 6 cards: One “Theme“ card, 4 cards numbered 1,3,4,5 and one of various “Symptom“ cards.

This game illustrates 5 typical hypoglycemic symptoms in all (faintmess, mighty hunger, nausea, agression, trembling and sweating) and while playing parents and children can choose one of these for each picture story.

Players can play with two or more picture stories in each game, depending on the desired level of difficulty. Cards which are not needed are put away.

We recommend playing the first game with only 2 picture stories.

LET`S START

Theme Cards:

The “Theme“ cards of the chosen picture stories are laid down so that there is enough room for the matching cards nos. 1-5 in a row sequence, as follows:

Place the cards nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in the chosen picture stories (same coloured edge) face down on the table and mix well.

The Spinner:

The youngest player starts the game and turns the spinner to determine the actions. All other players follow clockwise in turn.

The arrow can point to one of four actions:

If the child picks up a card other than no. 1, they replace it, face down, after showing it to the others. Of course, they do not take a “Smiley“.The next child takes their turn.

After spinning the arrow, this child tries to either:

a) find the second no. 1 card and start the other story (take a “Smiley“)

or

b) find the next card in sequence to the storyalready started (take a “Smiley“)

Generally speaking, every player can work on every picture story.

PLEASE NOTE: By purposly choosing a certain “Symptom“ card, parents and guardians can take the chance to talk to the children intensively about different physical symptoms of an impending hypoglycemic reaction.

IMPORTANT: If the first card doesn´t fit, the player can still take up a second one.

The child who lays down the last card in sequence (no. 5) wins an extra “Smiley“.

END OF THE GAME:

The game is over when all the cards have been laid out in sequence and the stories are complete. The winner is the player with the most “Smileys“.

Congratulations!