Physical Fitness

 Physical Fitness

We as parents, teachers and family members we are trying to keep our children healthy by providing them with healthy meals and physical fitness every day. This can be a struggle since there are many different obstacles in our way such as social media, playing video games, and not having enough income to provide for our children.  Children are developing skills from birth to adult. 

Children who are not getting participating in physical activities or exercise are mostly unhealthy and starting or already obese. Most children need at least an hour of physical fitness every day. (Robertson C. pg.272) Children are developing many different skills such as catching a ball, running, and riding a bike. Each of these skills is part of having physical fitness in their day to day life. For developing skills to catch a ball each child is learning how to use their arms and hands together to focus and catch a ball which is known as eye hand coordination. For a child are having to use their legs to pedal a bike and to run. Children are learning how to stay balanced to sit and use their legs to pedal and to learn how to run fast. This is a developmental skill that is learned as a toddler to preschooler. Helping a child with gross motor with help them develop the skill to do these activities.   Also when a child is able to play and run off extra energy by using physical fitness they are able to concentrate better when learning other skills such as fine motor skills in the classroom.

When a child is obese they are not healthy. In some case a child may have cardiovascular disease, pediatric hypertension, diabetes or even cancer. (Robertson C. pg.268) These diseases tend to stop these children from having exercise and physical fitness every day. Having these problems at a young age seems to stop a child from wanting to do anything that will make them get up and move. Their little bodies cannot fight off most basic infections that every child gets. (Robertson C. pg. 268) Even if a child is sick they should try and get exercise every day to help them become healthy and keep their illnesses low.

Adults can exercise and do physical fitness with children to show them that even adults need to have exercise to stay healthy. When an adult plays and works along with children they are more willing to do physical activities if they see adults do it as well. We as adults need to demonstrate how to have fun while doing exercise to help our children stay healthy and in good shape.  An activity for a child to do for gross motor would be playing a game like tag where each child will chase after another child to tag them and make that child it. This game can go on for as long as they like. (Robertson C. pg. 275) Another activity for a child to do with fine motor skills is to stack things such as blocks or cups.  (Robertson C. pg.406) If you are trying to have a child do fine motor skills while doing exercise you could make an obstacle course and have one item by stacking rocks or other items to help with their fine motor development. Here is a quote that inspires me and shows how I feel. “Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.”[EE3]  (http://www.searchquotes.com/search/Childrens_Health/

References:

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm

Robertson, C. (2013). Safety, nutrition, and health in early education (5th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning

Facts Sheet /Obesity

      Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years.

      The percentage of children aged 6–11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2012. Similarly, the percentage of adolescents aged 12–19 years who were obese increased from 5% to nearly 21% over the same period.

      In 2012, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese.

Overweight is defined as having excess body weight for a particular height from fat, muscle, bone, water, or a combination of these factors. Obesity is defined as having excess body fat.

      Overweight and obesity are the result of “caloric imbalance”—too few calories expended for the amount of calories consumed—and are affected by various genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors. (http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm)

Immediate health effects:

      Higher risks for cardiovascular disease, high blood presser and high cholesterol

      Obese young adults are more likely to have prediabetes

      Young children and young adults who are obese are likely to have bone and joint problems, social and emotional problems.

Long Term effects:

      If  a person is obese as a child they are most likely obese as adults

      Children and adolescents who are obese are likely to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis

      Cancers that are mostly likely associated with obesity are breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, pancreas, gall bladder, thyroid, ovary, cervix, prostate, myeloma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Childhood obesity it totally preventable helping our children eat healthy and have plenty of physical activities and exercise will help your child stay healthy and happy!

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Healthy Food and Nutrition Blog

            Healthy nutrition is important no matter what your age is. The older you get your diet and keeping healthy changes. You tend to need more exercise and better eating habits.

            In the book it talks about how we need vitamins, proteins, minerals and a lot more things to help with our growing bodies and keeping us healthy. Our bodies will only be as strong and healthy as we make them. When we do not eat and drink the right things are bodies are suffering and need these things to keep us going. For example our bodies need proteins to fight off illness and infections (Robertson C. pg. 232) Protein is in every cell and which also forms enzymes, hormones, and antibodies which our bodies need to keep us healthy and away from illness. (Robertson C. pg.232) From baby to adult every one of us needs protein to once again help our bodies say in good condition and healthy keeping us going from day to day in our daily activities in life. From baby to adult if they are not getting the proper care and eating right they are hurting their bodies. Young children need help to keep them healthy they need us adults to help them. But adults you depend on yourself. Getting help is the best thing if you do not know where to start and what to do.

            Adults are the role models for children. Children look up to adults and follow what they see what they are doing.  It is like monkey see monkey do. Children copy everything this how they start to learn. If a parent or adult eat healthy with the child then the child is more likely to want to sit and eat with them. If you tell a child you need to eat this they are mostly likely going to tell you no. But if you sit and eat they are more likely to follow your lead and do the same. When it comes to feeding infants is a lot different you as the parent or adult are in charge. You are regulating their feedings. Make sure you are persistent and have a schedule you follow this way you keep on top of feedings and what the babies’ cries are for.  If you practice healthy eating and healthy habits this will help children of all ages do the same thing and want to do it. Showing children eating healthy are great will help the children want to follow in your food steps and be healthy the same as you or their role models.

Healthy recipes for the family

Applesauce

Prep time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

·         2 small red apples

·         2 tbsp. lemon juice

·         2 tsp. sugar

·         2 pinches of cinnamon

Utensils:

·         knife (you'll need help from your adult assistant)

·         blender or food processor

·         measuring spoons

·         serving bowls

Directions:

1.    Peel the apples and cut them into small pieces. Throw out the core.

2.    Put the apple pieces and lemon juice into the blender or food processor. Blend until the mixture is very smooth.

3.    Pour the mixture into two small bowls and stir in the sugar and cinnamon.

4.    Enjoy your awesome applesauce!

Frozen Yogurt Pops

Prep time: about 1 to 2 hours

Ingredients:

·         1 8-oz. container of your favorite flavor of yogurt

Utensils:

·         small paper cups

·         wooden popsicle sticks (available in craft stores)

·         plastic wrap

Directions:

1.    Pour yogurt into paper cups. Fill them almost to the top.

2.    Stretch a small piece of plastic wrap across the top of each cup.

3.    Using the popsicle stick, poke a hole in the plastic wrap. Stand the stick straight up in the center of the cup.

4.    Put the cups in the freezer until the yogurt is frozen solid.

5.    Remove the plastic wrap, peel away the paper cup, and eat your pop!

Serves: 3 to 4

Serving size: 1 pop

Nutritional analysis (per serving):
127 calories
5 g protein
2 g fat
21 g carbohydrate
0 g fiber
7 mg cholesterol
73 mg sodium
262 mg calcium
0 mg iron

Note: Nutritional analysis may vary depending on ingredient brands used.

Creamy Cheesy Cucumber Sandwich

Prep time: 5-10 minutes

What you need:

·         ¾ cup light cream cheese, slightly softened

·         half a large cucumber, thinly sliced

·         8 slices of whole-wheat bread

Equipment and supplies:

·         Large knife

·         Cutting board

·         Plastic wrap (optional)

What to do:

1.    Spread each slice of bread with cream cheese (about 3 tablespoons per sandwich).

2.    Place about 4 cucumber slices on 4 of the slices of bread and top with remaining bread slices.

3.    Cut into quarters and serve immediately or wrap sandwiches and save for later.

How much does this make?

·         4 sandwiches

References:

1.      Robertson, C. (2013). Safety, nutrition, and health in early education (5th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning

2.      http://kidshealth.org/kid/recipes/recipes/applesuce.html#cat20229

3          3.      tp://kidshealth.org/kid/recipes/recipes/yogurt_pops.html#cat20229

4.                               http://kidshealth.org/kid/recipes/recipes/cucmber_sandwich.html#cat20229

Safety Plans for a child choking and child CPR

Safety Planes for a child Chocking and CPR

Nichole Lyon 

Child Choking/ CPR

            In this scenario a child is going to be choking. Katie is a 5 yr old little girl who is sitting at Ms. Adriana’s table during lunch. There are five other children and Ms. Adriana sitting at the table. It is lunch time all the children are filling their plates and passing the bowls of food around the table. After each child is doing filling their plate Ms. Adriana tells the children they may start eating. Katie is messing around in her chair and talking with her mouth full. The child next to her makes her laugh and Katie breathes in and starts to joke. Ms. Adriana sees Katie’s face in a panic. Ms. Adriana asks Katie are you choking Katie nods yes. Katie is coughing so the teacher encourages her to keeping coughing. What seemed like a second later Katie stops coughing and turns colors. Adriana gets up turns Katie away from her and places her arms around Katie’s belly button/ lower abdomen. And gives two quick abdominal thrusts which then causes the food to come up and out of Katie’s mouth. The teacher sits Katie down and checks her over also asking questions like can you breath, is the food out, are you feeling OK etc. Katie responds she is OK but shaken up. Adriana has another teacher sit with Katie talks to the nurse then calls Katie’s mom to let her know what has happen.

            Raegan is a 3 yr old little girl who is out on the playground with her class. Ms. Gina, Ms, Adriana and Ms. Nichole are on the playground with the class. Raegan is running and chasing two of her classmates around the playground. All of a sudden Raegan falls to the ground and is not breathing.  Ms. Gina sees what has happened and run quickly to Raegan. Gina asses the child and her surroundings making sure all is safe. Not knowing what is wrong with Raegan she does not mover her. Gina tells Ms. Nichole to go call 911 and get the nurse Raegan is not breathing. Gina realizes that she is going to have to do CPR she follows her training and proceeds to do CPR on Raegan. The nurse comes to help. The EMT s have arrived Raegan is breathing now and is going to be transferred to the hospital for observation. Raegan’s parents are called and informed what has happened and where Raegan is going.  Since Gina was trained on CPR and First Aide she knows what to do. If she had had not training it would have taken more time to find out what to do and who could help. Meaning loss of time could be death. But since she knew what to do she saved Raegan’s life.

1.      Act quickly and stay calm.

2.      Stay with child helping the child have another person get help and decide if you need to call 911.

3.      Help child by talking to them and giving them encouragement. If child stops coughing and food is still stuck proceed to do abdominal thrusts to help get food or object out of the air way. Never move a seriously injured child.

4.       Notify the nurse if there is one then call parents and explain what the situation is.

5.      Stay with child until parents or emergency personal is there.

6.      Watch for shock.

7.      Filling our reports and documentation.

Planning is very important in any emergency case but especially with children. Children are unpredictable and you never know what can and will happen. When there are plans in place for emergencies the time to react is cut in half. When an adult knows what to do in certain situations and what steps to follow the react time is quick being able to help a child quickly. Having training such as CPR, First Aide, advanced medical care this will help you know what to do when the time comes. This situation knowing first aide helped this teacher give abdominal thrust to help the choking child. If she had not known what to do the child could have become worse and possibly died because there was no training and plan put into place.

When working with children or adults you should be trained in First Aide, CPR and any other training that could help with emergency in that setting. Also knowing where there are First Aid kits and supplies, even a poster showing you what to do in case of. Having a written plan out in plan site to reference to, but also having all and any contact information for emergency numbers, staff and children will help also. You can never be over prepared to an emergency.

Emergency Plans

Emergency Disaster Plans

Nichole Lyon 

                                      Emergency Plan for Armed/ Hostel Person in Building

Goal:  

      The goal is for our children to understand what it means when there is a person endangering everyone in the building and what they are supposed to do when this happens during school. Also know how to protect themselves from the person trying to hurt anyone in side. Staying safe is the most important goal.

Resources:

      Using and practicing the call the children and staff will hear if there is a hostel dangerous person in the building.

      Learning what the call is and what it will sound like when heard. Practice where the safe spot in the classroom is and what to do. 

      Following all the instructions from the teachers that are in the classroom so they can help keep you safe.

Active Learning:

      Discussing what it means to be in danger and what needs to be done.

      Discussing what the call is. Practice the call and what actions are taken by everyone in the building.

      Have random drills to help the children and staff get familiar with what will happen during this time.

Adaptations:  

      Information for the parents.

      Encourage families to talk about what happens during the hostel person call.

      And also practice how to handle the situation and what to do when this happens.

Emergency Plan for Tornado

Goal:

      The children and staff will be able to know recognize and practice what to do to be safe during a Tornado.

Resources:

      Having a Tornado Bell to use for practice.

      Having drills to practice how to get under your desk cover your head and stay low during the Tornado touch down.

      A sign that shows what to do after the Tornado has gone and it is safe to leave the area you’re in.

      Books on Tornados and safety.

Active Learning:

      Talking with the children and staff about Tornados what it will be like during and how to stay safe during the Tornado.

      Talking about what happens when a Tornado touches down on the ground and what it will be like when this happens.

      Have everyone practice Tornado drills.

      Everyone will practice to get under their desks, cover their heads and stay low.

      Having a surprise Tornado drill during the day.

Adaptations:

      Giving information to the families about Tornados.

      Inviting parents and families to participate in the drills with us so they know what to expect when a Tornado touches down.

      Having families practice at home and where it is safe to go during a Tornado.

Child Health , Safety and Nutrition

Nichole Lyon 

Child, Health, Safety and Nutrition EDUC 1005-1

            Working with children of any age there are many different policies that you follow to keep your children safe. Depending what age group you work with depends on which polices you will follow. I work with preschoolers’ ages three to five years of age.  Working with older children you watch for more safety precautions then you would with say a one year old. But safety polices are in place for all ages to help staff to keep all children safe no matter the ages.

            Working with preschoolers who are rowdy and have high energy you have to watch for all kinds of safety threats and know what polices to follow. One of the safety hazards is the playground and the equipment. For example if the slid sits directly in sun light the sun will heat up the slid which can cause burns to a child’s skin. Also if the equipment does not have proper safety fetchers such as safety guards to keep children from falling. Shock absorbing material is great to be put on the ground to help when child jump and fall to help protect them from injury. (Robertson C. 2013 pg. 150) If children, staff and parents are trained on playground safety this will help everyone stay safe while playing. Staffs with help the children understand the right and wrong way to play on equipment. But also educating parents on how to keep children say the parents can help the staff reinforce how to stay safe while playing.

            Fire safety and prevention is taught to preschoolers helping them understand what fire is and what it can do. Fire safety is taught with the local Fire Department who coordinates with our Head Start Program working to together to help teach the parents and students about fire safety and prevention. Our children are taught to Stop Drop and Roll if they are caught on fire. Fire fighters’ dress up in all their gear so the children can see what they look like if they have to come into their home to help them out of a fire. Fire routes are talked about in case exits in their homes are blocked also meeting points where to go and how to get there. Are parents are educated in the same fire prevention as our children but in a little more depth to help them have an exact plan in case of a fire in their home. In working with our parents we help them learn about the fire safety and prevention to help their families at home giving them more confidence on a plan of attack and what to do.

            Another big safety issue is safe toys wither it be at home, in the classroom or anywhere else children may play. Checking on toys to see if there are any small parts and pieces that need to be thrown away or replaced. This way choking hazards are not as likely to happen. (Robertson C. 2013 pg.105-106) Age appropriate toys are recommended so children ages three to five years of age are not playing with toys that have smaller pieces and are to mature for the young children. This way with the appropriate toys children will enjoy them and have lots of fun.  Also making sure any broken toys are thrown away to keep children safe from getting cut or choking on them. Talking with the parents and staff about what toys are safe and approved to be in the classroom is a great idea. Talking with everyone will allow everyone to be on the same page about toys and how to keep their little ones safe and sound.

            Interpersonal Safety is just a big word for meaning safety for children while playing with other children teaching children positive ways of playing is a great idea showing them how to have fun but being safe at the same time. Teaching the children about the rules of the playground and how to play safely such as if a child is hitting or throwing things what the child can do instead of getting hurt and hurting another child. (Robertson C. 2014 pg. 119) Having the parents, staff and children participate in how to play safe with others will help everyone understand what is expected of them and if there are any polices that need to be followed by everyone.  Also keeping learning fun will help the children want to learn and participate this way they are learning but also having fun to.

            There are lots of policies and practices that are needed to be followed for all different types of situations such as fire safety, equipment safety, toy safety and many more polices that need to be followed for all kinds of things while working with children of all ages. Having policies and practices in place for when there is an emergency or situation will help everyone know what they need to do wither it is a child, staff member or parent. Keeping everyone safe and healthy is the key the more awareness and information everyone knows will help keep everyone safe.

References:

Robertson, C. (2013). Safety, nutrition, and health in early education (5th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning