CHAPTER 01:

INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH & SAFETY OF YOUNG CHILDREN

1.1 THE PREVENTATIVE HEALTH CONCEPT

Preventative Health:
Engaging in behaviors that help to maintain and enhance health status; includes concern
for certain social issues affecting the populations health and environment

The Preventative Health Concept:
Individuals are able to reduce many factors that threaten personal wellness. It implies
that children and adults are able to make choices and engage in behaviors that improve
the quality of life and lessen the risk of disease. This includes practices such as:

a. Establishing healthful dietary habits (eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains)
b. Practicing safety behaviors (wearing seat belts, limiting sun exposure)
c. Engaging in daily physical activity
d. Seeking early treatment for occasional illness and injury

Although the preventive approach emphasizes an individual role in health promotion, it
also implies a shared responsibility for addressing social and environmental issues that
affect the quality of everyones well-being, including:

poverty and homelessness
food insecurity
inequitable access to medical and dental care
adverse effects of media advertising
substance abuse (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, drugs)
food safety
air and water pollution
discrimination based on diversity
unsafe neighborhoods


1.2 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PREVENTATIVE HEALTH CONCEPT

The concept stands with several significances:

Health is a dynamic state of physical, mental, and social well-being that is
continuously changing as a result of lifestyle decisions
Childrens growth and development potentials are influenced by the interactions of
health, safety, and nutrition
Health promotion begins with a sound understanding of childrens growth and
development
Aspects of childrens health that require special adult attention include safety and
injury prevention, posture and physical activity, dental health, and mental health
including fostering self-esteem, social-emotional competence, and resilience
1.3 PROMOTING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

A. Be A Role Model

Helping children develop a healthy lifestyle - including healthy eating and physical
activity - begins at home. However, it is also important that these behaviors are
reinforced in the childcare setting. Parents and caregivers can help children to be
active and make smart food choices by modeling these behaviors themselves. Here is
some guidance to help you promote a healthy lifestyle when working with children.

B. Encourage Healthy Eating

Serve appropriate portions of food at meal and snack times. Over-portioning
encourages overeating and may lead to undesirable weight gain. Making healthy
foods available encourages children to try them. A designated area for meals and
snacks along with a fairly consistent meal schedule helps children form healthy
habits and discourages snacking in front of the TV or computer. Children should not
be overly restricted in the foods they consume. Remember, the goal is to promote
the development of healthy habits, not obsession with food or body weight. Severe
diet restrictions should only be followed when advised by an appropriate health care
professional. In addition, food should not be used for reward or punishment. Use
family or childcare group activities, stickers, or small trinkets as rewards.

C. What about Food Labels?

Food labels can be invaluable in making smart food choices. The nutritional
information on the label is based on the serving size. Compare your serving with the
serving size on the label. A serving may be smaller than you realized. The terms low-
fat, reduced fat, or light are frequently seen on food packages. These foods
often have added sugar and may have as many calories as their regular counterparts.

D. How Do You Decide Which to Buy?

In addition to food labels, the Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children can be a
useful tool to help you teach children about portion sizes and the importance of
consuming a variety of foods from the various food groups.

E. How Do You Know If A Child Is Overweight?

Children grow at different rates at different times. In addition, it is normal for
children to gain weight just prior to a growth spurt. Parents who are concerned
about a childs weight should discuss it with their pediatrician or health care
provider. The pediatrician or health care provider can track a childs height and
weight over time and let you know if the child is in a healthy range. Initial therapy
recommended for young children who are overweight should focus on decreasing or
minimizing weight gain rather than promoting weight loss. This approach allows the
childs height to catch up with his or her weight while still consuming sufficient
calories for growth. Children need to know, however, that they are loved and
accepted regardless of their weight.

F. Encourage Physical Activity

Just as children tend to model the eating behaviors they observe from the adults
around them, they also are more likely to be physically active if the adults in their life
are active as well. Regular group physical activities should be planned in the child
care setting as well as at home. Offer a variety of physical activities and allow
children opportunities to choose the ones they like best. Children are more likely to
want to participate and to look forward to physical activity if it is fun. Activities may
include traditional games and sports as well as outings such as field trips that involve
walking. In addition to providing health benefits, regular physical activity can be
educational, teach social skills, and boost the childs self-esteem. Here are some
physical activities you may want to try:

i. Biking
ii. Catch
iii. Bowling
iv. Freeze tag
v. Hiking
vi. Dancing
vii. Ice skating
viii. Flying a kite
ix. Swimming

Parents and caregivers should provide a safe area for the children to play, safety gear
recommended for specific sports, and appropriate supervision.