Young Ones, A guide for your Early Head Start and infant and toddler needs

 

“Four Healthy Ways to Help Kids Bloom” by Sally Goldberg

 

Children don’t stay healthy just by chance.  Like flowers, they must be tended and nurtured.  Providing children with the structure of a good routine is one of the most nurturing things adults can do.  These routines include a daily schedule of healthy meals, active and quite times, sufficient rest, and proper hygiene.  As an informed Head Start teacher, you can help parents establish these routines at home.  Your efforts will be rewarded with happy, healthy children.

 

1.  Good nutrition

 

Head Start provides a model for feeding children.  When attending the program, children eat meals that are natural and balanced.  Following the USDA food pyramid, Head Start meals are dominated by whole grains like bread, cereal, rice, and pasta.  The second largest portion consists of fruits and vegetables.  Dairy foods, meats, and nuts are also included in smaller quantity.  Last, but kept to a minimum, are foods that contain a lot of fats.  Processed foods, like microwave meals, packaged cookies, chips, and sodas are noticeably absent.

 

By following the recommended food pyramid, children are assured of getting proper nutrients (vitamins, minerals, proteins, fat, and carbohydrates).  When eaten in balanced meals, these foods provide all of the nutrients necessary for maintaining a healthy body. In addition to being balanced and nutritious, Head Start meals teach children about appropriate serving sizes and proper manners.  And, of course, the table conversation is always entertaining!

 

As a Head Start teacher, your knowledge of healthy meals makes you a wonderful resource for parents.  You and the children can illustrate recipe cards.  This will give parents healthy meals to cook with their children.  You can also have the children make their own food pyramids to take home.  Encourage the children to check off the foods they’ve eaten. It’s also important to list foods that are unhealthy for children.  You will increase your effectiveness as a teacher by helping parents make healthy decisions for healthy children.

 

2.  Exercise and quiet time

 

Head Start also provides a model for child exercise.  You will notice the daily schedule has a variety of active times and quiet times.  Active time is usually spent on the playground. This is a wonderful, well-supervised time for children to run around, play ball, and participate in games and activities organized by teachers.  Quiet time refers to open-ended play with simple toys, blocks, puzzles, and craft materials.  Children need a combination of both active and quiet times throughout the day.

 

By being knowledgeable about appropriate activities for children, you can make activity sheets for parents.  Individual sheets can be done for each child.  Each sheet should be personalized to recommend games or outings that would be beneficial to each particular child.  Activity sheets are most useful when they have two parts, one for the recommended interaction and another for parents to write comments and descriptions.

 

3.  Sleep

 

As a Head Start teacher, you know the importance of sleep.  Just as it is recommended to give children an early introduction to healthy nutrition and exercise routines, it is also important to be consistent about sleep routines, including naps.

 

Sleep is a necessary part of human existence, important for high functioning in all areas of waking life.  While the amount of sleep needed may vary from individual to individual and from time to time, a good guideline is 8-10 hours per day for adults, 10 hours per day for school-age children, 11 hours per day plus a nap for preschool children, 12 hours per day plus a nap for toddlers, and 13 hours per day plus two naps for infants.

 

If a child is regularly coming to school looking very tired you should find out about his sleep routine at home.  You can give parents a list of calming activities that will help the child wind down before bedtime.  Tiredness can also be a sign of many things including illness and improper nutrition.  Try to remind parents how important consistent sleep routines are. 

 

4.  Cleanliness

 

“Wash your hands before eating.”  These are words that every Head Start teacher has spoken hundreds of times.  A good hygiene routine is not just important for cosmetic reasons; it is crucial for maintaining good health.  Just as you teach cleanliness in the classroom, it is important to teach routines for being clean and living in clean surroundings at home.

 

Make hygiene checklists, and ask the children to draw pictures of the items on the list. Then ask parents to hang these lists at home where the children can see them.

 

·     Brush your teeth first thing in the morning.

·     Wash your face and brush your hair.

·     Wash your hands before meals.

·     Check for clean sheets.

·     Have clean, folded clothes in the drawers.

·     Bathe before bed.

·     Brush your teeth before bed. 

 

Regular wellness check-ups should also be part of every child’s life.  Ask children to tell the class about their doctor visits.  Many children are scared of doctors.  Invite doctors and nurses to come to your classroom to talk, play, and read stories to the children.  Show children that doctors can be funny and silly.

 

Proper growth, correct weight, vibrant skin, and an alert mind require daily care.  Head Start programs offer a great opportunity to teach children how to stay healthy.  Get parents involved in making healthy routines a fun part of each day.

 

Sleep:  Did You Know That...

 

Sleep patterns for babies and young children are aided by the natural conditions of sundown and sunrise.  It is best for babies and young children to wake up naturally.  During sleep the body repairs its cells.

 

Sally Goldberg, Ph.D., is a professor of early childhood education in the Graduate Teacher Education Program at Nova Southeastern University.

 

Children and Families Magazine, March, 2000