Child Health, Safety and Nutrition

 

1. Early childhood programs keep children safe when their facilities, materials, and equipment are hazard-free and all staff use safety practices, such as active supervision. Prevention is often the best form of safety, and so taking the time to plan a hazard-free classroom environment can go a long way toward minimizing the chance of injuries. It is important to understand the impact of safety on healthy development. Describe the areas in an early childhood setting that must be safe for the well- being of children. (Page 395)

Foundations of a child’s well-being What proactive actions and responsive teaching strategies can be used to meet a child’s needs in each of the areas?
Physical safety- freedom from threat of harm
Emotional safety- freedom from fear and violence
Freedom to learn and thrive
• Basic Needs
The classroom as a refuge for children (Page 397)

2. Most child injuries are preventable. Unfortunately, injuries are the leading cause of death in children in Canada. The leading causes of unintentional injury vary by age and include drowning, poisoning, suffocation, fires, burns, falls, and motor vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian-related crashes. Most injuries are preventable by modifying the child’s environment (e.g., use of stair gates) and having parents engage in safety practices (e.g., keeping matches or lighters out of reach of children).

Effective injury prevention methods include the use of childproof caps on medications and household poisons, age-appropriate restraints in motor vehicles (i.e., car seats, booster seats, seat belts), bicycle helmets, and a four-sided fence with a locked gate around residential swimming pool.

a. What are unintentional injuries? (Page 398)
b. View Figure 13-1, what are the 10 leading causes of non-fatal injuries?
c. What is a risk factor? Describe a variety of risk factors.
Risk factor Description
Child age and developmental maturity
Child’s sex
Child’s individual behavior style
Location of child’s residence

3. Unintentional injuries are the single leading cause of death for British Columbia children and youth aged 1-24. On average, a British Columbia child or youth is hospitalized every 40 minutes due to an unintentional injury. Each year more than 260 children are killed and over 12,000 children are hospitalized as a result of unintentional injuries. Educators and staff are all responsible for the safety of children in a childcare setting. When educators are aware, involved, and proactive, they are instrumental in safeguarding a child’s well-being. (Page 404)
Safe practices Describe how this practice impacts a child’s safety. Why is this practice important?
Providing a safe facility- careful planning for children’s play spaces and child proofing can minimize the risk of injury.
Developing safety policies and procedures- demonstrate an understanding of the role of the team in developing and promoting changes in service philosophy, policies, and procedures to improve the quality of service
Hiring Safe Personnel-Work within the expectations and guidelines established in job descriptions, policies, procedures, and codes of conduct (Page 410)
Providing Orientation- provide appropriate orientation, support, guidance, supervision, and interpretation of practice to students, volunteers, and new staff
Monitoring for compliance with safety rules
Building collaborations with others
Obtaining Insurance and Legal Counsel
Making a professional commitment to safety
Implementing program safety practices
Modeling safe behaviors- model good practice with colleagues, students, and volunteers
Teaching safety skills
Supervising children and taking action when needed
Sharing safety messages with families

4. There are many factors involved in designing appropriate environments for children. The environment should:

• support the physical safety and emotional security of the child
• convey a sense of welcome and familiarity for the child and family
• provide space for children to ease gradually into the classroom
• address children’s age, developmental, and educational needs
• be culturally appropriate and developmentally accessible
• inspire exploration and discovery
• support teaching and learning

Rank the factors from most important to least important. Explain your thinking.

5. Analyze Figure 13-5 (Page 420) Classroom Space Use Plan, Figure 13-7 Safety Checklist for Children’s Environments (Page 425), Figure 13-8 Attributes of Safe Indoor Play Areas (page 426), Figure 13-9 Sample Schedule for Cleaning and Sanitizing Toys (Page 428), Figure 13-10 Toy Characteristics Checklist (Page 431), and Figure 13-5 (Page 439) Playground Maintenance Checklist.

a. When you begin working in a childcare setting, would you encourage your employer to use these checklists? Why? Or why not?

6. Effective childcare management strategies create an orderly learning environment and promote cognitive, social, and emotional and physical growth and development. Describe safe classroom routines below. (Page 444)

 

Sample Solution

Early Childhood Safety and Injury Prevention

This passage discusses the importance of safety in early childhood settings and how to prevent injuries. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:

1. Safe Early Childhood Environments:

  • Importance: A safe environment minimizes injuries and promotes healthy development.
  • Safe Areas: The entire classroom should be safe, including furniture, equipment, and play areas.
  • Proactive Strategies: Active supervision and hazard-free design are crucial for safety.

2. Unintentional Childhood Injuries:

  • Definition: Injuries that happen accidentally, not on purpose.
  • Leading Causes (Figure 13-1 may show 10): Drowning, poisoning, suffocation, fires, burns, falls, motor vehicle crashes, bicycle crashes, and pedestrian crashes.
  • Risk Factors: Age, development, behavior, sex, and location can all influence risk.

3. Educator’s Role in Safety:

  • Importance: Educators play a vital role in keeping children safe.
  • Safe Practices: These include providing safe facilities, developing safety protocols, hiring qualified staff, and supervising children closely.

4. Designing Safe Environments:

  • Factors: Environments should prioritize safety, feel welcoming, cater to development, and inspire exploration.
  • Ranking (Most to Least Important):
    1. Physical Safety and Emotional Security: This is paramount to avoid harm and foster well-being.
    2. Welcome and Familiarity: This creates a comfortable space for children and families.
    3. Gradual Entry: A smooth transition helps children adjust.
    4. Developmental Needs: The environment should support children’s growth.
    5. Cultural Appropriateness and Accessibility: It should be inclusive and cater to diverse needs.
    6. Exploration and Discovery: Encourages curiosity and learning.
    7. Teaching and Learning: Supports educators in delivering effective programs.

5. Checklists for Safe Environments:

  • Importance: Checklists like those in Figures 13-5, 13-7, 13-8, 13-9, 13-10, and 13-15 can ensure a safe space.
  • Encouragement for Employers: Yes, using these checklists is highly recommended. They provide a systematic approach to identifying and addressing potential hazards.

6. Safe Classroom Routines:

This section details specific routines that promote safety in the classroom (not covered in the provided excerpt).

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