Chapter Eight Promoting Good Health for Children Health

Chapter Eight: Promoting Good Health for Children

Health Policies l l 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 child care health

Designing a Health Policy l l l 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 for limitations? )

Providing High Quality Child Care Goal One Maximizing health status of children Goal Two Minimizing risk to health, safety, and well-being of children Goal Three Using education as a tool to promote health and reduce risk Goal Four Recognizing the importance of guidelines

Children’s Health Records Include l l Health history and updates Immunization records Injury reports Assessment and screening results

l l Medication log and permission Health communication history Reports of illness in care Growth chart

Staff Health History includes l l l Name, etc. and physician’s name Pre-employment exam Immunization records TB test results Hearing and vision screening

Maintaining Staff Health l l Exposure to infectious diseases Stress Risk for back injury Potential exposure to environmental hazards

Providing a Mentally Healthy Environment Check to make sure that your care l Establishes a good relationship with parents Ø l Respect and mutual communication Responds with consistency, predictability, and regularity

l l Establishes daily routine = security Provides support and emotional assurance for child Attention Ø Affection Ø Respect Ø Mutual communication Ø

l l l Helps children to express and identify emotions Redirects anger and aggression through play and discussion Provides quiet area so child can be away from stimulation

l l l Values each child’s uniqueness, including culture Promotes responsive caregiving Is flexible and reasonable in expectations

Promoting Good Health Policies l l 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 child care health

Designing a Health Policy Health Policies l l l 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 for limitations? )

Implications for Caregivers l Role Modeling Ø l l Exhibits knowledge and practice of healthy behavior Cultural Sensitivity Education

Reality Check: The Resilient Child Vulnerable child l Genetic abnormalities l Malnutrition l Preterm birth l Prenatal stress l Drug exposure l Temperament

l l l Have more difficulty adapting Parent may have more difficult time coping and attaching Insecurely attached children may be more vulnerable due to Poverty Ø Abandonment Ø Chaotic living environment Ø

Resilient child l l l Often first born Securely attached Has high intelligence level

l l More likely to form close relationships that are trusting Have positive qualities from both sexes Outgoing l Autonomous l Nurturing l Emotionally sensitive l

Caregiver’s Role Vulnerable child l l Extra support Responsive and stimulating care Resilient child l l Secure attachment “Cheerleader” support

Reality Check: Secondhand Smoke Can lead to l l l Respiratory diseases (asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, and allergies) Middle-ear infections SIDS Vitamin C deficiency Behavioral problems