1. ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Chapter 2 Daily Health Observations Promoting children’s well-being through observation.

2. Why should teachers be concerned about children’s health and well-being? ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

3. ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 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

4. ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. What are Daily Health Checks? Daily health checks are an informal screening tool that yields information about: –A child’s state of health Appearance Behavior –The need for referral and professional evaluation

5. ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 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.

6. ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. How are daily health checks conducted? Observing as the child arrives. Assessing the child from head to toes, front to back –Including hair, eyes, skin (rashes, injuries) Looking in the mouth with a flashlight –Visually inspecting teeth for cavities, throat for redness or sores

7. ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. How are daily health checks conducted? (continued) 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.

8. 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

9. ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Recording observations Notes should be made immediately following the daily health check. Information should be clear, specific and meaningful to others. Information provides an ongoing picture of the child’s growth and development.

10. ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 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.

11. ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Why should families be involved in the daily health check process? It helps to establish partnerships with families It builds trust It supports families’ efforts to raise healthy children It provides opportunities for information exchange It reinforces positive health practices