ECEA 300 Child Health, Safety and Nutrition 

Assignment 1

Resources provide the information necessary to complete the assignments. Unless otherwise stated, the page number(s) listed in each question, are found in the course textbook. 

• Resource: British Columbia Early Learning Framework (BCELF)

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/education/early-learning/teach/earlylearning/early_learning_framework.pdf 

• Resource: The Primary Program- A Framework for Teaching. 2000 https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/education/early-learning/teach/resources/primary_prog.pdf• Resource: BC Licensing Regulation March 2022 https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/332_2007• Textbook: Sorte, Joanne, et al. Nutrition, Health, and Safety for Young Children. Available from: VitalSource Bookshelf, (4th Edition). Pearson Education (US), 2020.

•

**You can always search the internet to understand the concepts presented at a deeper level. Please cite any sources that you use to answer any questions. Plagiarism is a serious issue. Please see the Student Handbook for more information. **

Grade 

Criteria:

A

80% or above

Student shows an advanced understanding of the readings. Reflection and connection include theories, concepts, and/or strategies presented in the course materials to date. Viewpoints and interpretations are insightful and well supported. Clear, detailed examples are provided, as applicable.

B

70-79%

Student shows an understanding of the readings.  Reflection and connection demonstrate a general understanding of the theories, concepts, and/or strategies presented in the course materials to date. Viewpoints and interpretations are supported.  Appropriate examples are provided, as applicable.

C (pass)

60-69% 

Student shows some understanding of the readings. Reflection and connection demonstrate a minimal reflection on, and personalization of, the theories, concepts, and/or strategies presented in the course materials to date. Viewpoints and interpretations are unsupported or supported with flawed arguments. Examples, when applicable, are not provided or are irrelevant to the assignment.

DNC -Did not complete course. 

Student has not shown understanding of the readings. Reflection and connection demonstrate a lack of reflection on, or personalization of, the theories, concepts, and/or strategies presented in the course materials to date. Viewpoints and interpretations are missing, inappropriate, and/or unsupported. Examples, when applicable, are not provided.

Part 1 Think Deeper

1. A child’s wellness must be nurtured and strengthened. Adopting an attitude of wellness allows a child to take control and make decisions that improve their health. (Page 4) 

a. Define wellness. b. Describe how nutrition, health and safety are interconnected to wellness.c. Describe the role of the educator in promoting wellness. d. List current issues and trends that impact children’s health. (Page 5)

2. Children need shelter, food, and love to be happy and healthy. A child ‘s wellbeing is also affected by theirpersonality, their family and community. A child’s wellbeing impacts their learning and growth in all developmental areas. Larger systemic trends also have a direct impact on wellbeing. Describe factors that influence children’s wellness. (Page 11) 

Factor

Describe how these factors influence wellness. 

Considering the contextsin which children grow and develop

• Bronfenbrenner’sEcological System Theory

Figure 1-2 

Page 11

Understanding the overarching challenges to children’s wellness

• Poverty (Page 12)• Food insecurity• Housing and homelessness• Environmental health and safety

a. According to Sorte et al educators “must be advocates foraddressing negative influences on children’s developmentand promoters for supporting children’s wellness.” (Page 16) Please come up with your own ideas when answering the questions below. 

• What negative influences should be addressed? E.g., Homelessness• What is one recommendation for progressive childcare policies? E.g., Provide affordable housing to families.• Describe one strategy that can be used to make a difference in this area? E.g., Write a letter to the Minister Responsible for Housing• How can you educate the public about this problem? E.g., Write a letter to the local newspaper.• What groups and organizations can you join that advocate for the well-being of children in this area? E.g., Sources Advocacy, Housing and Prevention Services

3. Learning is a complex process. Learning is an ongoing process that is simultaneously biological and cultural. Each individual learner functions within a complex developmental, cognitive, physical, social, and cultural system. Learning also changes the brain throughout the life span. Describe learning in each of the areas below. (Page 17)

Factors involved in learning

Describe how each factor influences learning

Physical Development

Cognitive Development

Language Development

Social-EmotionalDevelopment

Inspiring a Positive Approach to Learning

Using developmentally appropriate practice (Page 18)

Following a purposeful teaching cycle (Figure 1-5 Page 21)

Employing a variety of teaching approaches (Page 21)

• Child-selected play• Teacher-directed activities• Infusing wellness topics across the curriculum• Hands-on Exploration• Process-oriented activities• Project Learning• Incidental Learning• Culturally relevant approaches• Language- appropriate learning

4. Scaffolding refers to breaking up new concepts into smaller manageable chunks so that the concept can be learned more easily. By scaffolding, educators can improve the likeliness that children will grasp new concepts and retain what theyhave learned. Analyze Figure 1.7- Steps in ScaffoldingLearning and complete the table below. (Page 23) (Primary Program- Page 46)

Step 

Scaffolding Approach

Provide an example. 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

5. An effective curriculum meets the needs of each childattending the childcare facility. 

a. Why is it important to plan developmentally appropriate curriculum? (Page 19)b. Look at Figure 1-4 on Page 19. What is the difference between what the toddler, preschool children and primary-grade children can do? c. Should a child’s unique needs and age be considered when developing curriculum? Why? d. Should the child’s stage of development be considered when developing curriculum? Why? e. Should the child’s learning style be considered when developing curriculum? Why? 

6. Early childhood is a critical time in human development. Understanding and supporting children’s wellness early on can make the greatest impact on physical, social, emotional, and cognitive health throughout childhood and adulthood. What should an educator include when designing a Wellness Curriculum? Familiarize yourself with the wellness messages listed in Figure 1-8. (Page 23) 

Strategy

Describe how the strategy increases the effectiveness of a curriculum

Identifydevelopmentally appropriate wellness messages

Provide an example of a Wellness Message 

• Nutrition• Health• Safety 

Review wellness activities for safety

Writing Activity Lesson Plans

Describe the components. 

• Teaching wellness message-• Learning outcome-• Vocabulary focus-• Safety watch-• Target age group-• Goal-• Materials-• Activity plan-• How to adjust the activity-• Did you meet your goal? –

Ensure that the lesson is inclusive (Page 26)

Develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP) as needed (Page 27)

7. Educators require appropriate resources to provide quality programming to the children in their care. Describe different resources available to educators in the table below. (Page 27)

Resources for educators

Description of the resource

Children’s literature

Figure 1-10

Teacher Resources Figure 1-11

Professional development trainingin Canada (Page 29)

Part 2 Connect and Reflect

8. Educators play an important role in the promotion and maintenance of children’s wellness. Healthy students are better learners. This cannot be done by educators alone. Parents and community members are critical partners in providing the healthy start children need to thrive in the classroom and in life. Research clearly shows that good nutrition, and a healthy and safe environment are vital to children’s wellness. 

Family and community involvement is necessary to creating and sustaining culturally relevant and academically stimulating curriculum. (Page 30) 

a. Describe ways to collaborate with caregivers and community members in designing curriculum. 

Stakeholders involved in curriculum development

Describe the role of each stakeholder

Partnering with families

Engaging with Community Resources

Convening an advisorycommittee

b. Could information about service philosophy, policies and procedures be shared with stakeholders to encourage meaningful participation in curriculum development? How? c. Should curriculum be adapted in response to expressedfamily needs? Why? d. Should childcare staff respond promptly to family input and feedback? Why?e. Should educators encourage families to observe, visit and participate in the childcare program? Why? 

9. Reinforcing wellness concepts at home is a natural extension of the classroom. Describe ways to encourage families to reinforce the concept of wellness in their home. (Page 31)

Ways to promote home-school collaboration

What is the role of the educator? Caregiver? 

Communicating about wellness goals

Sharing community health information

Provide guidance when needed

Being healthy role models

10. Complete Figure 1-14 (Page 35) of the Self-Inventory for Wellness Practices. 

a. Are you a healthful role model? Why or why not? b. What can you do to improve your health? c. Are you open to growth and change? d. Do you care for yourself? Why or why not?e. What are your personal values around wellness? 

11. Over the past few decades, children, their experiences, upbringings, and backgrounds have changed. Classrooms now reflect families of varying races, cultures, and socioeconomic statuses. As a result, the way teacherseducate children must change. 

a. Describe the cultural diversity/composition and socio-economic characteristics of the community in which you will most likely work. b. What aspects of each culture/tradition would you include when teaching children about nutrition, health, and safety wellness? c. List 2 community services, resources, or supports that are available in your community.d. Describe the structure and needs of families in yourcommunity.e. Describe the significant changes and development plans in your community.

Part 3 Theory into Practice

12. Familiarize yourself with the list of children’s literature in figure 1-10 (Page 28). You may have some of these books at home, find them on YouTube or visit the public library. Describe the wellness message. 

Children’s Literature

List the title of 2 books and state the wellness message contained in the book. 

Nutrition

Health 

Safety

a. Is it important to read to children? Why? b. How does reading to a child benefit the child? c. How does reading aloud to children benefit the child and caregiver relationship? 

13. Hashim arrives to the centre each day with a variety of medical challenges including sneezing, a raised, itchy, red rash (hives) and swollen lips, tongue, eyes, or face. At times, he complains of tummy pain, and feeling sick. He has also vomited and had diarrhea. 

a. What do you suspect is happening for Hashim? b. What would you say to Hashim’s parents? c. What would you remember to say or do when speaking with Hashim’s parents?