1. Daily Health Observations
Chapter 2
Daily Health Observations
©2015 Cengage Learning.

2. Why should teachers be concerned about children’s health and well-being?
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3. Children’s health affects:
Learning
Energy, interest, focus
Performance
Growth and development
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4. What resources can teachers use to evaluate children’s health status?
Teachers have access to a variety of information sources, including:
Daily observations and health checks
Children’s health records
Health and developmental screenings
Family input

5. What are daily health checks?
Daily health checks are an informal observational screening tool that yields information about:
A child’s state of physical and mental health
Appearance
Behavior
If there is need for referral and professional evaluation

6. Why should teachers conduct daily health checks?
To establish a baseline of typical
behavior and appearance for each
child.
To note when changes occur.
For early identification of health
impairments that may interfere with learning.
To promote children’s well-being.
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7. How are daily health checks conducted?
Observing as the child arrives and throughout the day.
Assessing the child from head to toe, front to back:
Looking at the child’s hair, eyes, skin, etc. (see Teacher Checklist 2-1)
Using a flashlight to look inside the child’s mouth (inspecting teeth for cavities, throat for redness or sores)
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8. How are daily health checks conducted?
Listening to the child’s speech.
Observing family-child interactions.
Continuing to observe the child
throughout the day for signs of
developing illness or distress.
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9. Daily Quick Health Check
Observe for
Severe coughing, sneezing
Activity level
Discharge from nose, eyes, and ears
Breathing difficulties
Sores Look, Listen
Swelling or bruising Feel, Smell
Unusual spots or rashes
General mood/unusual behavior
Skin color

10. Remember that: Teachers never diagnose
They are not qualified to interpret illnesses and/or medical conditions
Teachers should refer a child for professional evaluation if there are any health concerns
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11. Recording Observations
Notes should be made immediately following the daily health check.
Recorded information should be clear, specific, and meaningful to others.
Information provides an ongoing picture of the child’s growth and development.

12. Confidentiality
All information about a child’s health is considered confidential and must be protected.
Only information that affects a teacher’s ability to work with a child needs to be shared.
Family permission is always required before any information about a child is released to another organization.

13. Why should families be involved in the daily health check process?
It promotes a partnership with families
It builds trust
It supports families’ efforts to
raise healthy children
It provides opportunities for
information exchange
It reinforces positive health
practices
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14. Case Study
Chris, the head teacher in the Sunflower classroom, has recently had some concerns about Lynette's vision. He has noticed that during group story time, Lynette quickly loses interest, often leaves her place in the circle, and crawls closer to him in an apparent effort to see the pictures in books he is holding up. Chris has also observed that when Lynette is working on puzzles, manipulatives, or an art project, she typically lowers her head close to the objects. Lynette's parents have also expressed concern about her clumsiness at home.

15. Case Studyy
The results of two vision screening tests, administered by the school nurse on different days, suggest that Lynette's vision is not within normal limits. The nurse shared these findings during a conference with Lynette's parents, and encouraged them to arrange for a follow-up evaluation with an eye specialist. However, because Lynette's father was recently laid off from his job, they no longer have health insurance and cannot afford a doctor's visit at this time. The nurse continued to work closely with the family and helped them locate two reduced-fee health clinics in their community that provided the type of services Lynette required.

16. Case Study Questions
What behaviors did Lynette exhibit that made her teacher suspect some type of vision disorder?
Identify the sources from which information concerning Lynette's vision problem was obtained before she was referred to an eye specialist.
If the teacher suspected a vision problem, why didn't he just go ahead and recommend that Lynette get glasses?
What responsibilities do teachers have when they believe a child has a health impairment?
If you were the nurse advising Lynette's parents, what free or low-cost health service options could you recommend in your community?