HEALTH AND SAFETY

FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

Journal

Discuss a time when you were hurt as a child. What happened, what did it take to get better?

FOOD ALLERGIES:

An immune system response to a food that the body mistakenly believes is harmful.

Most common are: Milk, eggs, peanuts, fish, shellfish, soy and

wheat. Document any food allergies of children. Post notice to all employees of food

allergies.

FOOD ALLERGIES:

Symptoms: Occurs within 1 hour of eating

FOOD ALLERGIES:

Treatments: Avoidance of allergens. Use of prescribed epipen Seek immediate medical help Introduce only one new food at a time Document all children’s allergies Post notices to employees of children’s

allergies

INTREGRATE FOOD INTO OTHER AREAS:

SCIENCE: Melting, congealing, shrinking, expanding, water to steam.

LANGUAGE: Learn cooking vocabulary, names of foods and utensils.

MATH: Measuring, compare quantities. SOCIAL STUDIES: Working cooperatively,

learn about cultures & customs. LITERACY: Read recipes from chart, make

grocery lists, read stories connected to the food.

SNACK GUIDELINES:

1. Snack must be nutritious (very little sugar).

2. Creative and reflect the theme.3. Preplanned and ingredients listed on

weekly grocery list.4. Include a nutritious drink daily. Which?5. Economical, seasonal.6. Appealing to children.

SNACK GUIDELINES: cont’d

Should children be allowed to select snack from several different items?

If one choice is available, should they be given something else if they don’t like it?

Should children be allowed to eat as much as they like?

Could all schools follow these guidelines?

WHAT CAN FOODS TEACH?

Color TextureTaste, smell, sound

Counting

Big & LittleLiquid/Solid

Shape & sizeSequence

Keeping time

Team work

Following directions

Safety

Where food comes fromCultures

WHAT ABOUT MANNERS?

“Please, Thank you, Your welcome, Excuse me”.

Sharing Appropriate eating habits

CREATIVE IDEAS:

CREATIVE IDEAS: cont’d

CHOKING CAUTION:

What should you do if a child is choking? Encourage them to cough. Never pound on the back Use abdominal thrust as many times as

needed

• Avoid raw carrots, peanuts, hard candy, raisins, popcorn, bite size pieces that can be swallowed without chewing.

• Which foods cause choking?

CHILDHOOD SAFETY:

THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG PRESCHOOLERS IS:

ACCIDENTS

CHILD ABUSE

80% OF CHILD ABUSERS AREPARENTS OR OTHER RELATIVES

3 out of 4 child slayings in industrialized world occur in USA

1 out of 3 girls are sexually abused before they reach age 18

1 out of 5 boys will be sexually abused before they reach age 18

DECLARATION OF ABUSE:

When a child gives you a declarative statement about abuse

Document the words exactly as you heard them.

Get other witnesses to document what was said.

Record date, time, location, etc.

NEGLECT:

Behavior indicators: Hunger Poor hygiene Excessive sleepiness Lack of appropriate supervision Unattended physical problems or

medical needs Abandonment Inappropriate clothing for weather

conditions

Failure of parents or caretakers to provide needed, age appropriate care. Including food, clothing, shelter, protection from harm, supervision appropriate to the child’s development, hygiene, and medical care.

PHYSICAL ABUSE:

Behavior indicators: Aggressive or

withdrawn Afraid to go home Stealing Lying Layered clothing

Non-accidental injury of a child that leaves marks, scars, bruises,

or broken bones.

EMOTIONAL ABUSE:

Behavior indicators: Failure to thrive Speech disorders Lags in physical development Habit disorders, conduct disorders Sleep disorders or inhibition of play Aggressive or passive

Rejecting, terrorizing, berating, ignoring, and isolating, that is likely to cause serious impairment of the physical, social, mental,

or emotional capacities of the child.

SEXUAL ABUSE:

Behavior indicators: Inappropriate sexual knowledge

Abrupt change in personality Withdrawn Poor peer relationships Promiscuous behavior/seductive behavior Sleep disturbances Regressive behavior

Fondling, sexual intercourse, assault, rape, date rape, incest, child prostitution,

exposure and pornography

DOCUMENTATION:

Document every injury noticed. (date, time, description, comments by child, etc.)

Even document injuries that occur at the daycare. Send a copy home to parents.

THE LAW:

UNDER UTAH LAW, EVERYONE HAS A LEGAL OBLIGATION TO REPORT SUSPICION OR KNOWLEDGE OF CHILD ABUSE!!!!

It is a misdemeanor if you don’t report it. Reporters name can remain anonymous.

Parental Characteristics

Abused as child Belief in corporal discipline May have spouse violence Belief that father should dominate Low self-esteem Unrealistic expectations of children Role reversal, uses child to gratify their

needs Unconcerned about seriousness of abuse

RISKS:

Child doesn’t match well with parent (emotional or developmental disabilities)

Parent under stress Little community support (child care or

medical care)

CHILD + STRESS = ABUSE(Remove child or stress to avoid abuse)

SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME – NEVER SHAKE A BABY

Head trauma is the leading cause of disability and death among infants and children.

Violent shaking is involved in many of these cases.

25-50% of the American public does NOT know that shaking an infant can cause brain damage or death.

The brain keeps vibrating within the skull cavity after shaking occurs.

The brain swells, creating pressure, leading to retinal bleeding and can lead to blindness.

Veins feeding the brain are torn away, leading to brain damage or brain visual disability, speech disability, and seizures.

PLAY ACTIVITIES THAT ARE HAZARDOUS:

Tossing a small child into the air Jogging while carrying an infant on the

back or shoulders “Riding a horse” – bouncing on the knee Swinging the child around by his/her

ankles Spinning a child around

WARNING: If this happens take child to Emergency Room immediately. The child can be treated.

TECHNIQUES FOR SOOTHING A CRYING BABY:

TOUCH: Cuddling, swaddling, warm water bottle, warm bath

MOTION: Rocking, walking, stroller, car ride, rhythmic patting

SOUND: Rhythmic chants, ticking clock, singing, recording of heartbeat or womb sounds

YOUR ROLE:

To protect To love To teach

It is important to rebuild self-esteem through sincere praise and reassurance of the child’s abilities.