Learning the Importance of Hydration — One Bead at a Time

After several days of soaring temperatures and with another heat wave on the way, about two dozen students from kindergarten to fifth grade gathered at the Boys & Girls Club at the St. Stephen Family Life Center for a special lesson on hydration, led by Louisville Water Educator Rhonda Dazley.

She engaged her young audience with a hands-on approach to learning about water, health, and nutrition. Dazley began by explaining where the students’ drinking water comes from and described the rigorous process Louisville Water uses to ensure its safety and great taste.

“Louisville Water’s scientists do 200 tests a day to make sure it’s clean,” Dazley told the students, prompting a collective “wow!” from the group.

Throughout the lesson, Dazley emphasized how water helps keep our bodies healthy, especially during the summer months when staying hydrated is even more crucial. She also discussed the importance of healthy eating and how both water and nutritious foods work together to contribute to overall well-being.

To reinforce the lesson, Dazley invited the children to create their own bracelets using beads and pipe cleaners. Each bead color represented a different healthy food—e.g., orange for carrots and red for strawberries—while the first bead, either clear or blue, symbolized water.

The activity offered students a tangible reminder to prioritize water and healthy foods in their daily lives.

“I love that the lesson is hands-on,” said Dazley, who joined Louisville Water’s education team after a 25-year career in public school classrooms, “and I love that the students walk away with a reminder to eat healthy and stay hydrated.”

Click here for more tips on how to stay hydrated.