discussion
Chapter 1
Children’s Well-Being: What It Is and How to Achieve It
©2015 Cengage Learning.
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Preventive Health, Part 1
The preventive health concept emphasizes the importance of assuming responsibility for one’s personal well-being.
On a personal level—preventive health practices include following a nutritious diet, participating in physical activity, keeping immunizations current, wearing seat belts, avoiding substance abuse, etc.
Preventive Health, Part 2
On a social level—citizens have a collective responsibility to support policies and practices that promote the health of all individuals, such as establishing food safety standards, water fluoridation, regulating air pollution and pesticide use, and advocating for child safety legislation.
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National Preventive Health Initiatives, Part 1
National health initiatives and programs that support and promote children’s well-being:
Healthy People 2020
National Children’s Agenda
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
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National Preventive Health Initiatives, Part 2
Healthy Child Care America
National Health and Safety Performance Standards for Child Care
No Child Left Behind
Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP)
National Children’s Study
Let’s Move!
Can you think of others?
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In What Ways Are Health, Safety, and Nutrition Interrelated?
Although each component is important by itself, all three must be considered collectively.
Each component influences the state and quality of the others.
health + safety + nutrition = well-being
What Is Health? Part 1
Health is a state of physical, social, economic, emotional, cultural, and spiritual well-being.
How might these qualities affect each other and also influence an individual’s health?
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What Is Health? Part 2
Health is determined by the dynamic interaction of genetics and environmental factors.
The quality of a person’s health is always changing.
In what ways can teachers promote children’s health?
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Children’s Safety
The term safety refers to the behaviors and practices that reduce the risk of unintentional injury.
Why must teachers always be aware of children’s safety issues?
Unintentional injuries cause the
majority of childhood deaths.
Prevention is every adults’
responsibility.
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Children’s Nutrition
Food provides nutrients that are essential for growth, energy, protection from illness and disease, and continuous tissue repair.
Food insecurity and unhealthy dietary practices can lead to malnutrition and/or obesity.
Children’s behavior is also affected by the quality of their diet.
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Children’s Growth & Development, Part 1
The term growth refers to the numerous physical changes, such as eruption of teeth, increased height, weight gain, and improved visual acuity that occur as a child matures.
Growth results from the interaction of genetic potential and environmental factors.
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Children’s Growth & Development, Part 2
The term development describes changes that occur in the complexity of children’s cognitive, social-emotional, motor, and language abilities.
Development involves an interactive process of maturation and opportunity (to experience and practice).
Children’s Brain Development
An infant’s brain is wired and ready to learn at birth
Maternal practices during pregnancy influence the brain’s structural development
A majority of a child’s brain development occurs by age 5 yrs.
What are “windows of opportunity”?
What is plasticity?
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Children’s Oral Health
What purpose do teeth serve?
Chewing
Maintaining space for permanent teeth
Helping to shape the jaw
Speech
What practices are important for promoting children’s oral health?
Children’s Social-Emotional Competence
Social-emotional competence refers to the way a child thinks, feels, and acts on a daily basis.
It affects how a child handles stress, communicates, and makes decisions.
It ultimately influences a child’s self-concept and self-esteem.
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Children’s Mental Health
One in 5 children/adolescents have a mental health disorder.
One in 10 have a serious emotional disturbance that disrupts daily functioning.
When early problems are not treated, they can contribute to school failure, family conflict, drug abuse, violence, depression, and suicide.
Signs of Mental Health Problems
Uncontrollable anger
Prolonged feelings of hopelessness or sadness
Extreme fearfulness or anxiousness
Difficulty concentrating or remaining focused
Persistent nightmares
Eating disorders
Violent or aggressive behaviors (e.g., setting fires, killing animals, hurting others)
Promoting Children’s Social-Emotional Competence
Be a positive role model.
Create environments that are supportive, responsive, and respectful.
Teach children effective social, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Recognize signs of emotional problems and refer children early.
Children and Bullying
Why do some children bully others?
What groups of children are more likely to be victimized?
What is cyber bullying and what can families do to protect children?
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Building Resiliency
Teachers can help children become more resilient by:
Fostering supportive, nurturing environments and positive parenting skills.
Promoting effective social, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Modeling appropriate behaviors.
Offering praise and encouragement.
Respecting children and avoiding biased or judgmental treatment.
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