Zinc: Small Amount, Important Role

Watch the story with your child. Zinc is an essential trace mineral: small amounts support normal functions, including growth and immune function. The windmill and team of helpers are teaching analogies, not literal pictures of the body. The episode does not recommend diagnoses, doses or supplements and does not promise disease prevention. Excessive intake can be harmful. Discuss individual needs with your paediatrician or pharmacist.

After the story

Close the screen and, with a grown-up, draw three small things that do useful jobs, such as a button, a bee or the centre of a paper windmill. Talk about each job. Optionally add pictures of three foods from the story. This is a drawing activity; it does not require small parts, food tasting or taking supplements.

• Why was the biggest gear not the right solution?
• If we need only a little of a nutrient, does that mean it is unimportant?
• Which different foods containing zinc did we discover?
• Why does more zinc not mean better?
• What did Pico do when he realised his first idea did not work?