1. © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning Chapter 10: Promoting Good Health for Quality Early Childhood Education Environments

2. © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning Health Policies Needed The overall quality of the early child- hood education health care setting is not good One in 5 children have not received vaccinations As many as 4 out of 10 preschoolers exhibit one or more problem behaviors, and approximately 1 in 10 children are at risk for mental health

3. © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning Health Policies Help manage risk to good physical and mental health Should be developed and directed for children and staff Promote healthy practices Lay the foundation for the atmosphere of the early childhood education environment

4. © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning Designing a Health Policy Establish a process –What process will be followed? Assign responsibility –Who is responsible for making sure process is followed? Offer guidance for action –What needs to be done? Are there any time parameters or limitations?

5. © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning Providing High-Quality Child Care = Goal One  Maximize health status of children Goal Two  Minimize risk to health, safety, and well- being of children Goal Three  Use education as a tool to promote health and reduce risk Goal Four  Recognize the importance of guidelines Goal Five  Practice cultural competence Goal Six  Develop partnerships with families to provide a caring community

6. © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning Children’s Health Records Include –health history and updates –immunization records –injury reports –assessment and screening results –allergies –medication log and permission –health communication history –reports of illness in care –growth chart

7. © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning Staff Health Health History includes –name, etc., and physician’s name –pre-employment exam –immunization record –TB test –respiratory problems –hearing and vision screenings

8. © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning Maintaining Staff Health –Exposure to infectious diseases exposure to children who are ill –Stress can include job burnout –Risk for back injury Know correct way to bend, lift, sit –Potential exposure to environmental hazards arts and crafts, cleaning supplies, and pesticides

9. © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning Providing a Mentally Healthy Environment Check to make sure that your early childhood education environment –establishes a good relationship with parents respect and mutual communication –responds with consistency, predictability, and regularity

10. © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning Providing a Mentally Healthy Environment (continued) –Establishes daily routine = security –Provides support and emotional assurance for child attention affection respect mutual communication

11. © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning Providing a Mentally Healthy Environment (continued) –Helps children to express and identify emotions –Redirects anger and aggression through play and discussion –Provides quiet area so that the child can be away from stimulation

12. © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning Providing a Mentally Healthy Environment (continued) –Values each child’s uniqueness, including culture –Promotes responsive caregiving –Is flexible and reasonable in expectations

13. © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning  Reality Check—Children with Stress Children deal with many stressful events and life changes Children have less time to relax and more time in planned activities Children’s reaction to stress may be visible in physical, emotional, or behavioral responses

14. © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning  Reality Check—Children with Stress (continued) Physical reaction to stress includes –headaches –stomach aches –diarrhea –no appetite –overeating –rapid speech or stuttering

15. © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning  Reality Check—Children with Stress (continued) Emotional reaction can be expressed in –regressive behaviors withdrawing, toileting accidents, clingy, too dependent –aggressive behaviors acting out, biting, hitting, vandalizing, difficulty with social interactions, frustration

16. © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning  Reality Check—Children with Stress (continued) A child who is oversensitive or tends to worry may experience stress more easily When children are too young to express themselves, they may be more vulnerable to stress –Even securely attached infants or toddlers have been found to have higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, when adjusting to a new care situation

17. © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning  Reality Check—Children with Stress (continued) If the teacher helps the child manage stress, it will lower the risks for later physical or emotional problems. The best ways include: –Structure the environment so that it supports the child –Allow the child to express concerns –Listen to what the child says and respond in supportive ways –The environment should be protective and prevent more stress to the child

18. © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning  Reality Check: Second Hand Smoke Can lead to: –respiratory diseases (asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, allergies) –middle ear infections –SIDS –vitamin C deficiency –behavioral problems

19. © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning Implications for Teachers Role-Modeling –Exhibits knowledge and practice of healthy behavior Cultural Competence –increasing diversity For Families –open line of communication about health issues Education