Dietary guidelines have changed to include 60 minutes a day of physical activity for healthy children. Television and computer use should be kept to a minimum. Children can enhance their fine and gross motor skills by doing such activities as, riding a bike, climbing stairs, jump roping, playing with puzzles, painting and drawing with different writing tools, like crayons, markers, and colored pencils.
When children are not getting enough daily exercise they can become obese or overweight. Childhood obesity has tripled in the past 25 years. Obesity can cause problems such as diabetes, heart disease, some childhood cancers, problems with sleeping and usually obese or overweight children have poor eating habits. Obese children can often suffer with emotional problems due to the fact that they can not do some of the things that their peers can do.
Professionals can promote physical activities by providing daily outdoor fun such as jump roping, playing on the playground which requires climbing up or down a ladder, or even swinging on a swing. Children can run around playing tag which promotes the use of large muscles. Teachers or professionals can include games throughout the day such as music, in which the children can dance. Teachers can also encourage physical activity by rolling a ball to each child on the floor or using bubbles or a hula-hoop. Painting, drawing, playing with puzzles and stringing beads are all activities that help develop fine motor skills.
One thought provoking quote that captures my attitude about fostering children’s healthy growth and development is the quote “couch potato.” Too much TV or computer games are being used by children during these economic times. There are many children due to financial reasons are home from school by themselves and are often amusing themselves with TV or computer games. This discourages exercise so those children become couch potatoes or computer junkies. These activities are sedentary activities, which increase child to become overweight or obese. Teachers and professionals can provide guidance to children on how to select appropriate foods and how to choose activities that are less sedentary.
Physical activity is essential in maintaining a healthy body. Exercise plays a vital role in making sure children stay healthy and happy. Children need to learn fundamental motor skills and develop health related physical fitness (cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility and body composition). Physical activity provided at school is an ideal way to encourage activity and develop fitness among children. Physical activity may also enhance academic performance, self-concept, and mental health.
A healthy child is a happy child.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Cooking with Kids can be Fun
Here are three recipes that are not only good for you, but good tasting as well. Your children will love to help you make these delicious recipes.
Sunshine Lemon Smoothie
Ingredients:
2 cups skim milk
2 cups lowfat lemon yogurt
1/2 cup ice
3 tablespoons powdered lemonade mix
Preparation:
1. In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
2. Serve in a tall glass and garnish with lemon wedge or zest if desired.
Nutrition Information: These fruit and yogurt smoothies taste great and are versatile too; you can have them for breakfast, a snack or even with a sandwich for lunch. It’s also a good way to get fruit and dairy, two of the food groups from the Food Guide Pyramid. The lemon yogurt provides vitamin C and calcium. We need vitamin C every day and the calcium is an important bone building nutrient.
Children will have putting the ingredients into the blender and watching the blender mix all of the ingredients. Then the children can help pour into glasses.
Cocoa-Berry Yogurt Tarts
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups lowfat vanilla yogurt
1 1/2 cups reduced fat Ricotta cheese
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
6 graham cracker tart shells
3/4 cup strawberries, sliced (raspberries or blueberries can also be used)
Preparation:
1. Mix yogurt, Ricotta, sugar and cocoa powder thoroughly with whisk until creamy.
2. Spoon 1/6 mixture into each tart shell and top with sliced strawberries.
Nutrition Information: Desserts can be fun AND healthy. They don’t have to be fattening to taste good. This recipe combines yogurt, cheese and strawberries for a dessert with only 260 calories. It also contributes 20 percent of the recommended daily requirement of calcium from the yogurt and cheese. The strawberries, or any fruit you would like to substitute, provide vitamin C and fiber. This recipe has nine grams of total fat.
Children will have fun mixing the above ingredients and putting the ingredients into the tart shells.
Children will have fun mixing the above ingredients and putting the ingredients into the tart shells.
Cheesy Chicken Crunchers
Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
salt & pepper
4 egg whites
1/2 cup 2% reduced fat milk
1 1/2 cups cornflakes
1 cup (4 ounces) reduced fat, shredded Cheddar cheese
6 chicken breast filets; cut into strips
Non-stick cooking spray
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 375˚ F.
2. Set up three bowls with the following: 1) flour mixed with a pinch of salt and pepper; 2) an egg-wash, made by beating the eggs and milk together; 3) cornflakes mixed with cheese.
3. Coat a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
4. Dip chicken pieces in flour, then into the egg-wash, then roll in the cheesy-flakes mixture, coating the entire piece of chicken and place on the baking pan.
5. Discard any unused cornflake mixture after coating chicken.
6. Bake for 25 minutes, turning halfway through to ensure even browning.
7. Serve with ketchup or BBQ sauce if desired.
Nutrition Information: This recipe contains flour and corn flakes from the grain group, reduced fat milk and Cheddar cheese from the dairy group and chicken from the protein group - 3 of the five basic food groups. Add a glass of lowfat or fat free milk to the meal and you have met half of your daily requirement for calcium from dairy foods.
Children will like to help with dipping chicken in flour, egg wash and rolling the chicken into the cheesy-flakes mixture.
Children will like to help with dipping chicken in flour, egg wash and rolling the chicken into the cheesy-flakes mixture.
Healthy Food and Nutrition
Good eating habits and healthy eating choices are essential for the growth and development of infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
Infants from birth to 12 months need breastmilk or iron-fortified formula as a main source of their nutrition. During this stage the infant will feed on demand and need about 24 to 32 ounces daily. When the infant reaches the milestone of sitting up by themselves they are ready for solid foods. Breastmilk and formula contain the right amount of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals for healthy growth and development. Once the infant is able to sit on their own, cereal, fruits and vegetables can be introduced. Usually cereals like rice and oatmeal are easily digestible and are served twice a day as well as vegetables and fruits.
Toddlers may have some opinions about which foods they like or dislike but to encourage healthy foods is essential because they will learn to make their own nutritious choices in the future. Toddlers tend to be picky eaters, so they need smaller amounts of nutrient rich foods to keep them going throughout the day. Toddlers need fruit, vegetables, and whole grains for good digestive health, potassium to help muscle growth and development. Healthy fats are important for growth and brain development. All foods for a toddlers healthy meal plan should be foods that provide nutrients, for example, peeled, mashed or chopped fruits and vegetables, dairy foods, whole grains and chopped or ground meats.
Preschool aged children can be a challenge, as your preschooler grows encourage healthy food choices. A healthy meal plan should include foods like milk products, grains and cereals, fruit and vegetables and meats. Preschoolers diet must supply enough nutrients to meet the needs of growing bones and muscles, promote healthy formation of teeth and sustain continued growth and development of all body tissues and organs. Most active preschoolers need more food than less active preschoolers.
Parents and caretakers of children should actively promote healthy eating. One way is to help children establish regular eating times, avoid unnecessary snacks that are high in calories but low in nutrients. Offering and encourage fruits and vegetables as snacks rather than cookies or other high sugary snacks. Another way is to encourage adequate amounts of exercise and activity to assist children in developing sound nutritional habits and food acceptance patterns that will support their growth and ensure long term healthy diets. A healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise can help promote good health.
Cooking with children can bring parents and children together. Children are curious and by cooking together they being introduced to different types of foods, textures, flavors and smells. Exploring food can help improve fine motor and eye-hand coordination. Following recipes can reinforce basic math and reading skills. By having your child help cook you are building a foundation for them to make smart food choices.
Infants from birth to 12 months need breastmilk or iron-fortified formula as a main source of their nutrition. During this stage the infant will feed on demand and need about 24 to 32 ounces daily. When the infant reaches the milestone of sitting up by themselves they are ready for solid foods. Breastmilk and formula contain the right amount of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals for healthy growth and development. Once the infant is able to sit on their own, cereal, fruits and vegetables can be introduced. Usually cereals like rice and oatmeal are easily digestible and are served twice a day as well as vegetables and fruits.
Toddlers may have some opinions about which foods they like or dislike but to encourage healthy foods is essential because they will learn to make their own nutritious choices in the future. Toddlers tend to be picky eaters, so they need smaller amounts of nutrient rich foods to keep them going throughout the day. Toddlers need fruit, vegetables, and whole grains for good digestive health, potassium to help muscle growth and development. Healthy fats are important for growth and brain development. All foods for a toddlers healthy meal plan should be foods that provide nutrients, for example, peeled, mashed or chopped fruits and vegetables, dairy foods, whole grains and chopped or ground meats.
Preschool aged children can be a challenge, as your preschooler grows encourage healthy food choices. A healthy meal plan should include foods like milk products, grains and cereals, fruit and vegetables and meats. Preschoolers diet must supply enough nutrients to meet the needs of growing bones and muscles, promote healthy formation of teeth and sustain continued growth and development of all body tissues and organs. Most active preschoolers need more food than less active preschoolers.
Parents and caretakers of children should actively promote healthy eating. One way is to help children establish regular eating times, avoid unnecessary snacks that are high in calories but low in nutrients. Offering and encourage fruits and vegetables as snacks rather than cookies or other high sugary snacks. Another way is to encourage adequate amounts of exercise and activity to assist children in developing sound nutritional habits and food acceptance patterns that will support their growth and ensure long term healthy diets. A healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise can help promote good health.
Cooking with children can bring parents and children together. Children are curious and by cooking together they being introduced to different types of foods, textures, flavors and smells. Exploring food can help improve fine motor and eye-hand coordination. Following recipes can reinforce basic math and reading skills. By having your child help cook you are building a foundation for them to make smart food choices.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
CPR and Choking Emergencies
A four year old preschool child is sitting at the lunch table with his friends eating lunch, talking and having fun when he begins to choke. The teacher in the classroom gets up and goes over to the child to ask if he is okay and child is not able to respond except with a nod of his head. The teacher determines that the child is choking and assures the child everything is going to be all right that she is going to help. The teacher begins the Heimlich maneuver and tells the other children in the class that the choking child is going to be all right and to remain calm. Once the object is expelled from the child’s throat the teacher asks the child if he is all right and to tell her his name. If the child is able to respond and tell the teacher his name, there is no other obstruction in his airway and the teacher calls the parent to let them know what had transpired and that he is all right. If the child was unable to tell the teacher his name, which could indicate that the airway was still obstructed and 911 needs to be notified as well as the parents. If there is still an obstruction, the Heimlich maneuver should continue to be used and if the child collapses then the teacher immediately needs to administer CPR.
Children are playing on the playground at preschool when a 4 year old child is stung by a bee. The teacher present is not sure if the child is allergic to bee stings having never been stung before so the teacher watches for signs of an allergic reaction. A mild reaction might include watery eyes, itching and hives on the skin. Once the sting has been cleaned the parents should be notified and the child should continue to be observed. If there is any difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, of the child’s complexion becomes flushed, or if the child complains of abdominal cramps or nausea then 911 needs to be contacted immediately as well as the child’s parents. The teacher should assure the child he is going to be all right that help is on the way.
I believe that all teachers should be required to take CPR and First aid when working with young children. By taking these courses the teachers are well informed and educated as to what to do in an emergency situation and knowing what to do can mean life or death of a child.
Children are playing on the playground at preschool when a 4 year old child is stung by a bee. The teacher present is not sure if the child is allergic to bee stings having never been stung before so the teacher watches for signs of an allergic reaction. A mild reaction might include watery eyes, itching and hives on the skin. Once the sting has been cleaned the parents should be notified and the child should continue to be observed. If there is any difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, of the child’s complexion becomes flushed, or if the child complains of abdominal cramps or nausea then 911 needs to be contacted immediately as well as the child’s parents. The teacher should assure the child he is going to be all right that help is on the way.
I believe that all teachers should be required to take CPR and First aid when working with young children. By taking these courses the teachers are well informed and educated as to what to do in an emergency situation and knowing what to do can mean life or death of a child.
Emergency Preparedness: Natural & Human Disasters
When a natural disaster occur young children, the elderly and the homeless are at risk of hypothermia, starvation and other health risks. Hurricanes and snowstorms can cause such devastation that it could leave people without food and shelter.
A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone. Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and several miles inland. Hurricane force winds can easily destroy poorly constructed buildings and mobile homes. Debris such as signs, roofing materials and small items left outside become flying missiles. Flooding from hurricanes can occur hundreds of miles from coast placing communities which would normally be affected by the strongest hurricane winds, in great danger.
When working in a child care facility, being prepared for a hurricane is essential because knowing how to be prepared can keep all children safe and warm, not being prepared can put all the children at risk for injury. The following steps should be done to prepare for a hurricane:
Have your facility evaluated for its ability to withstand high winds, identify the best internal protective area within the facility, know a safe evacuation route to official shelters, keep all children away from windows, sit on the floor next to an inside wall, and be sure to have your first aid kit, and emergency phone numbers for the parents and caretakers for all of the children readily available.
When teachers know that a hurricane is going to be coming, they need to notify parents and caretakers to come and pick up their children prior to the hurricane hitting, to ensure that all children get home safely. While waiting for the parents to arrive the teachers need to try and keep children as calm and safe as possible until their parents arrive.
Snowstorms can cause heavy snowfall and extreme cold temperatures and can immobilize an entire region. Snow storms can result in flooding, can cause a storm surge, close highways and roadways, and down power lines, and for the homeless can cause hypothermia.
When working in a child care facility, being prepared for a snowstorm is essential because knowing how to be prepared can keep all children safe and warm, not being prepared can put all the children at risk for injury. The following steps should be done to prepare for a snowstorm.
Establish procedures for securing the facility against damage to utilities, frozen pipes, etc., prepare facility vehicles for emergency travel on snow and ice, and check emergency and alternate utility sources in case you have loss of power, thus no heat or electricity. Keep children safe, calm and as warm as possible until their parents or caretakers arrive. Prepare to extend operations in case after parents have been notified to pick up their children and parents can’t because travel is difficult.
When you are a professional working in a facility with children, letting parents know your evacuation procedures and how you prepare for a natural disaster puts parents at ease about the welfare of their children.
A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone. Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and several miles inland. Hurricane force winds can easily destroy poorly constructed buildings and mobile homes. Debris such as signs, roofing materials and small items left outside become flying missiles. Flooding from hurricanes can occur hundreds of miles from coast placing communities which would normally be affected by the strongest hurricane winds, in great danger.
When working in a child care facility, being prepared for a hurricane is essential because knowing how to be prepared can keep all children safe and warm, not being prepared can put all the children at risk for injury. The following steps should be done to prepare for a hurricane:
Have your facility evaluated for its ability to withstand high winds, identify the best internal protective area within the facility, know a safe evacuation route to official shelters, keep all children away from windows, sit on the floor next to an inside wall, and be sure to have your first aid kit, and emergency phone numbers for the parents and caretakers for all of the children readily available.
When teachers know that a hurricane is going to be coming, they need to notify parents and caretakers to come and pick up their children prior to the hurricane hitting, to ensure that all children get home safely. While waiting for the parents to arrive the teachers need to try and keep children as calm and safe as possible until their parents arrive.
Snowstorms can cause heavy snowfall and extreme cold temperatures and can immobilize an entire region. Snow storms can result in flooding, can cause a storm surge, close highways and roadways, and down power lines, and for the homeless can cause hypothermia.
When working in a child care facility, being prepared for a snowstorm is essential because knowing how to be prepared can keep all children safe and warm, not being prepared can put all the children at risk for injury. The following steps should be done to prepare for a snowstorm.
Establish procedures for securing the facility against damage to utilities, frozen pipes, etc., prepare facility vehicles for emergency travel on snow and ice, and check emergency and alternate utility sources in case you have loss of power, thus no heat or electricity. Keep children safe, calm and as warm as possible until their parents or caretakers arrive. Prepare to extend operations in case after parents have been notified to pick up their children and parents can’t because travel is difficult.
When you are a professional working in a facility with children, letting parents know your evacuation procedures and how you prepare for a natural disaster puts parents at ease about the welfare of their children.
Safety Practice and Policies
Preschool children have mastered most of their gross and fine motor skills. Preschoolers have curious minds and like to explore and test their limits. The five potentially hazardous situations and or safety threats for preschoolers are as follows: art supplies, playground equipment, classroom cleaning supplies, tools and equipment, and indoor play tools and equipment.
Art supplies can present some potential hazards. The hazards can be from inhaling lead from the paint. Using non-toxic art supplies can help reduce the hazard. Teachers should avoid using paints that contain lead or using tempera paints. Using paints that are liquid or water based that are non-toxic is acceptable. Teachers should inform parents of the hazards of using paint products that contain lead and inform parents to use only paints that are clearly labeled, “non-toxic.”
Playground equipment is another hazard because children are naturally curious. They will climb and test their limits. When children are playing on the playground by having adequate supervision can help reduce the risk for injury. Play equipment should be enclosed by a four foot high fence and the sand box should be covered by some type of umbrella. Around the play equipment there should be some sort of cushion covering the ground like recycled rubber, or mulch. Children should have the playground rules explained to them, i.e. no pushing, going down the slide feet first, not standing behind a swing when a child is swinging.
Classroom cleaning supplies should always be placed out of the reach of children. Classroom cleaning supplies should only be used by adults. When purchasing classroom cleaning supplies it is best to purchase products that are labeled as non-toxic, natural, citrus based or biodegradable. Cleaning supplies should be used when the children are not present or have gone home for the day. Teachers and parents should talk to the children about the dangers of these supplies and that children should never use them.
Tools and equipment are potentially dangerous if a child gets a hold of them and uses them improperly. It is important to keep only child proof scissors, play tools and other tools and equipment. All tools and equipment should be out of a child’s reach and put away.
Using indoor safety can be beneficial to teachers as well as parents. Teachers need to make sure the indoor space has adequate floor space. Indoor space should be well supervised as well as allowing children to engage in climbing, jumping, and swinging to develop their strength and a sense of competency. There should be enough space to allow children to safely engage in these activities. Teachers should be able to see and hear all children at all times within the classroom.
Parents need to be sure that their home is safe for children, by installing safety locks on all cabinets that contain cleaning supplies, be sure to have covers on all electric outlets, keeping all tools and equipment out of the reach of children. Making sure outdoor equipment is safe for children by securing the play equipment from tipping over, make sure that all gates have safety locks to prevent children from wandering off.
Art supplies can present some potential hazards. The hazards can be from inhaling lead from the paint. Using non-toxic art supplies can help reduce the hazard. Teachers should avoid using paints that contain lead or using tempera paints. Using paints that are liquid or water based that are non-toxic is acceptable. Teachers should inform parents of the hazards of using paint products that contain lead and inform parents to use only paints that are clearly labeled, “non-toxic.”
Playground equipment is another hazard because children are naturally curious. They will climb and test their limits. When children are playing on the playground by having adequate supervision can help reduce the risk for injury. Play equipment should be enclosed by a four foot high fence and the sand box should be covered by some type of umbrella. Around the play equipment there should be some sort of cushion covering the ground like recycled rubber, or mulch. Children should have the playground rules explained to them, i.e. no pushing, going down the slide feet first, not standing behind a swing when a child is swinging.
Classroom cleaning supplies should always be placed out of the reach of children. Classroom cleaning supplies should only be used by adults. When purchasing classroom cleaning supplies it is best to purchase products that are labeled as non-toxic, natural, citrus based or biodegradable. Cleaning supplies should be used when the children are not present or have gone home for the day. Teachers and parents should talk to the children about the dangers of these supplies and that children should never use them.
Tools and equipment are potentially dangerous if a child gets a hold of them and uses them improperly. It is important to keep only child proof scissors, play tools and other tools and equipment. All tools and equipment should be out of a child’s reach and put away.
Using indoor safety can be beneficial to teachers as well as parents. Teachers need to make sure the indoor space has adequate floor space. Indoor space should be well supervised as well as allowing children to engage in climbing, jumping, and swinging to develop their strength and a sense of competency. There should be enough space to allow children to safely engage in these activities. Teachers should be able to see and hear all children at all times within the classroom.
Parents need to be sure that their home is safe for children, by installing safety locks on all cabinets that contain cleaning supplies, be sure to have covers on all electric outlets, keeping all tools and equipment out of the reach of children. Making sure outdoor equipment is safe for children by securing the play equipment from tipping over, make sure that all gates have safety locks to prevent children from wandering off.
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