Chapter 12: Health and Wellness Teaching Young Children Fifth Edition Michael L. Henniger Developed by: Kaye A. Marshall Mt. Baker School District and Whatcom Community College

Goals: Chapter 12 Learn about the importance of health and wellness Study the role of physical education Investigate health education and its importance Gain insights into safety education

The Importance of Health and Wellness Physical education and its importance Physical development and social skills Motor skills and emotions Connections to cognitive development Creating an integrated curriculum Increased emphasis on physical fitness Reduce health risks Increase activity levels

Health and Wellness: Health The values of health education Rapid rise in childhood obesity Ages 2-5, doubled since 1976 Ages 6-11, from 6.5% to 19.6% Nutrition Medical and dental health Healthy body image Illness prevention

Health and Wellness: Safety Safety education and young children Safety/security – 2 most basic needs (Maslow, 1968) Environmental risks Indoor and outdoor environments Accidents Child abuse and neglect

Health and Wellness: Families Working with families Children spend more time at home Children absorb values/attitudes at home To effect long-term change, support is needed from families Nutrition Physical activity Safety

Physical Education Basic considerations Create time daily for play-oriented and adult-directed movement activities Plan indoor and outdoor activities Make sure all children get involved Evaluate your responses for gender equity Identify your expectations for motor development

Physical Education: Basics, cont. Establish clear rules Identify boundaries Integrate physical activities into all aspects of the curriculum Carefully observe children Use developmentally appropriate materials/equipment Provide repeated opportunities for practice

Physical Education: Strategies Instructional strategies Direct approach Describe, model, imitate Guided discovery Child-centered, invent/experiment Exploration Divergent problem solving

Physical Education: Play Physical development and play Select play equipment to stimulate skills Gross motor: climber, large balls, wheeled toys, tumbling mats Fine motor: small blocks, crayons, legos Perceptual-motor: rhythm instruments, dance scarves, pattern blocks

Physical Education: Activities Organized physical activities Introduce during preschool/primary years Should be fun, include specific skill guidance, and allow many opportunities to practice Throwing, catching, striking Kicking, balancing, jumping Spatial awareness, fitness

Physical Education: Indoors Games and activities Magical marching Bunny hop Quick, freeze! Hit the bull’s-eye Finger frolics Catch me if you can Balancing circus

Physical Education: Outdoors Games and activities Rough-and-tumble play Organized activities Competition and young children Noncompetitive/cooperative game options Fish gobbler Non-elimination musical chairs Tug of peace Roadrunner Bumblebee Mountain climbing La piñata Traffic jam Parachute play

Health Education Nutrition Provide healthy nutritious choices Plan cooking experiences Model good nutrition Communicate often with families Provide resources

Health Education: Body Image Healthy body image Teach respect and care for one’s body Young bodies continue to change and grow There is no one ideal body type Be careful with the language you use Emphasize each child’s abilities and positive personality traits

Health Education: Medical/Dental Medical and dental health Provide vision, hearing, and speech screening Carefully observe children Illnesses Identify early and prevent spread of childhood illnesses Promote personal hygiene/handwashing

Health Education: Adults Healthy adults: as a significant role model Eat healthy foods Exercise regularly Discuss your own body type – focus on the positive Talk about strategies you use to stay healthy

Safety Education Environmental risks Be aware of custody issues Falls, burns, poisons, small or sharp objects, suffocation, traffic hazards Be aware of custody issues Reasonable risks are considered a healthy part of growing up

Safety Education: Prevention Accident prevention Water safety Infants/toddlers Preschool/primary Fire safety Talk with children and families Firearm safety 24% of all households have firearms (Forbis, et. al, 2007)

Safety Education: Abuse/Neglect Child Abuse and Treatment Act, 1974 Reauthorized, 2003 Mandated reporting Neglect: failure of family to meet basic needs of child – adequate food, shelter, or medical care 59% of total reports were for neglect

Safety Education: Abuse/Neglect, cont. Physical abuse: purposeful injury – bruises, broken bones, burning (10% of reports) Sexual abuse: adult uses child for sexual pleasure of any type, or exposes child to others in sexually explicit way (8%) Emotional or psychological abuse: child’s emotional development or self-worth is impaired by the behavior of adults (4%)

Summary The Importance of Health and Wellness Physical Education Health Education Safety Education