Please respond to the first and second classmates with a connection and a question. For example, did you identify the same similarities and/or differences? Your response should be more than “I agree” or “I like what you said.” Please include a meaningful response that makes a connection, elaborates, or asks a question.

 (FIRST student Mays)

1. As a parent, I have affected the health of children by ensuring they receive regular medical check-ups and are committed to vaccination on time for their age. If the child gets sick, I have to make sure to give him/her the right medicine at the right time for their age after presenting the child to the pediatrician and adhering to the doctor’s prescription; and also check the child’s temperature and look for any redness or allergies.

2. As a parent, I have affected the safety of children or others by putting them to sleep. I ensure they lie on their backs without toys, extra bed covers, or a pillow for newborn babies. I dress them in safe clothing, like overalls, and make sure nothing covers their head to prevent suffocation risks. While feeding them milk, I hold them to avoid choking hazards. As they grow older, I also ensure their toys are free of magnets and do not have small parts or are unsafe for the child. Chemical cleaning fluids are stored securely away, electrical outlets are covered, and small candies or choking hazards are kept out of their reach.

3. As a parent, I have affected the nutrition of children or others by introducing solid food to a six-month-old. To prevent allergies, it’s important to start with pureed foods and one type of vegetable or fruit. Avoid using salt, sugar, preservatives, or spices, and aim to prepare homemade meals. After the first year, prepare balanced meals that include a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains.

4. Health: As a caregiver, I will model many health habits by promoting proper handwashing techniques and brushing teeth. We can also do a special activity, like dancing together or exercising together. Stories, playtime, conversations, songs, or cartoons can also encourage healthy habits.

Safety: As a caregiver, I will model many safety habits by demonstrating the importance of wearing seat belts whenever they are in a vehicle and using the car seat if needed. And helmets whenever they are biking or skating.

Nutritional: I will model mindful eating and avoid fast food, sweets, and processed meats as much as possible. I also believe it is important to set an example by eating healthy in front of kids. It shows them the value of nutritious eating habits and encourages them to do the same. I involve the children in shopping for vegetables or fruit and cooking meals together, focusing on incorporating vegetables and healthy food into our diet. –

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(SECOND STUDENT ROBERTO)

Hi class 🙂

1.As a caregive, I have affected the health of children or others by:

providing them with necessary medical care, ensuring they have a clean and safe environment, monitoring their nutrition and physical activity, and promoting healthy habits and behaviors. Additionally, I have also impacted their emotional and mental well-being by providing love, support, and guidance, and helping them develop strong social and communication skills. My role as a caregiver has a significant influence on the overall health and development of those in my care.

2. As a caregiver, I have affected the safety of children or others by: ensuring the environment is free of hazards, closely supervising activities, teaching safety rules and procedures, and reacting quickly and appropriately during emergencies. Additionally, I have a responsibility to report any suspected or observed abuse or neglect and to follow proper protocols for handling and documenting incidents. I must also maintain proper training and certifications to ensure I am equipped to handle any safety concerns that may arise.

3.As a caregiver, I have affected the nutrition of children or others by ensuring they have access to nutritious meals and snacks, educating them about healthy eating habits, and monitoring their food intake to ensure they are getting the necessary nutrients. I have also been responsible for accommodating any dietary restrictions or allergies and promoting a balanced and varied diet. Additionally, I have encouraged physical activity and discouraged unhealthy habits such as excessive screen time or sugary drinks.

4. In my role as a caregiver, I will model many health, safety, and nutritional habits. For health, I will model regular hand-washing and proper hygiene practices to prevent the spread of germs and illness. I will also model the importance of staying active and incorporating exercise into daily routines.

For safety, I will model the use of safety equipment, such as helmets and seatbelts, when engaging in physical activities. I will also model safe behaviors, such as looking both ways before crossing the street and using caution when handling sharp objects.

In terms of nutrition, I will model the importance of eating a balanced and varied diet, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. I will also model portion control and the practice of listening to one’s body for hunger and fullness cues. Additionally, I will model the habit of drinking plenty of water throughout the day for hydration.

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Peer Response

 Read THIRD and FOURTH discussion. Please try to engage in conversation with your fellow classmates by following at least 3 of these guidelines (from Jennifer Steward-Mitchell’s 3CQ model):

1.  1— )Compliment your classmate and describe what you liked about their post. Be specific about what you liked.
   • I like that…
   • It is evident that you have put a great deal of thought/research into…
2. 2—) Comment on something relevant and meaningful that your classmate wrote. Be specific, and keep in mind that you don’t always have to agree.  You can politely disagree.
   • I agree with because….
   • Although you say that… I think that…
   • You make a good point about… but I also want to point out that…
3. 3—) Connect with something that your classmate wrote and explain that connection with details. It can be a connection to something external to the discussion, such as your own experience or your own point of view.  Make sure that you give a complete explanation.
   • I also thought…
   • Your comment on… reminds me of…
4. 4—) Ask a question that will prompt further discussion, i.e. keep the discussion going.
   • I wonder why….
   • What if…
   • Do you think…

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(THIRD STUDENT (STEPHANI)).

Hello everyone,

What is the teacher’s role in addressing childhood illnesses? Why is it important for teachers to be knowledgeable about children’s infectious and acute diseases?             

    A teacher’s role in addressing childhood illnesses is to do a health check in the morning as each child arrives. This health check is just a quick assessment of a child’s wellness that day, checking for signs of illness or anything out of the ordinary. Teachers should know what to look for during these assessments. You can see and hear runny nose, cough, and congestion, which indicate illness in a child. Knowing the signs and symptoms of illness is essential to help prevent illness in other children.

Describe the particular skills needed for teachers to manage infectious diseases.  How well prepared are you for these skills?  What could you do to improve these skills?

Teachers need to have some knowledge of infectious diseases and their symptoms. To identify if a child is feeling ill, the teacher has to know what they are looking for. Proper hygiene is also essential in helping to manage infectious diseases. Proper handwashing, cleaning, and disinfecting surfaces and any common areas in the classroom will help prevent illnesses from spreading. I feel prepared to handle these situations in the classroom; I have many years of experience caring for small children.  I haven’t had much experience in the classroom yet, but there is always room for improvement. I have had many years of caring for children in the home setting; I was a babysitter for many years before having children of my own. 

• What is meant by the term ‘cultural competence’? Why is cultural competence important?

Cultural competence is defined as the ability of providers and organizations to effectively deliver services that meet people’s social, cultural, and linguistic needs. It is important to make everyone feel comfortable and included. 

• How would diversity in early childhood environments affect health policies or health practices?                                   Diversity in early childhood environments helps the childcare facility to be more inclusive and responsive to the child’s needs and helps ensure the health and well-being of all the children attending.                                                                             
• What could you do to help cultural diverse families understand and respect a program’s policies?  List measures that would help these families understand an early childhood program’s policies and practices.  Please provide specific examples.                                                                                                                                                                                            To help families understand the program’s policies, you could provide materials in their native languages; this is extremely important for families where the parents may not speak English to have access to the information and can understand it. Having open communication with families is also very important; most childcare facilities have an “open door” policy for families. They can stop by anytime and see what the kids are up to. Involving all families and making them feel a part of the learning environment is important for the children’s learning experiences.
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(FOURTH STUDENT(Alissa)).

Hi Everyone,

1. The teacher’s role when addressing childhood illnesses is to do a heath check each day the child comes into the care center or school. The teacher should take a few moments to greet the child and parent to discuss the child and any health concerns. It is important for teachers to be knowledgable about communicable and acute illnesses because it is their responsibility to help ensure the heath of all the children in the class. Therefore, the teacher needs to address and help stop the spread of illness. For example, if a teacher notices a child’s eyes appear to be red and puffy due to pink eye they will ask the parent questions and recommend keeping the child home and taking them to the doctors. 

2. The particular skills a teacher needs are to be knowledgeable on common and sometimes uncommon childhood illnesses. Teachers should be trained on how to recognize what illnesses look like in children by looking at them during a health check. They need to know what follow up questions to ask the parent in order to help direct the parent on how to get their child treated. Teachers should not diagnose the child rather say “it could possibly be” or ” this looks like ….” and suggest the parent follow up with their child’s doctor. Although I am not a teacher I do listen to how the teachers and parents talk and do ask to be included in any discussions about how to recognize childhood illnesses. 

3. Cultural competence is defined as the ability as providers and organizations to effectively deliver heath care services that meet social, cultural, and linguistic needs of the people that they work with. It is important because it helps  provide the highest quality of care to families regardless of race, ethnicity, cultural background, English proficiency or literacy. It is important to interact with families with a clear understanding of background and needs. Diversity in childhood environments can affect heath policies or practices by having to be more receptive to the challenges families face. More interpreter services need to be set into place and provided for families when needed so that they may be given the information in their chosen language. Begin to include family and community members in heath care decision making so they can feel welcome and heard. Often it is very overwhelming for families who do not understand the language and verbiage that paperwork is provided in. Training could be provided to increase cultural awareness and skills. Heath care providers can recruit and hire minority staff who would be able to help families understand the heath care process. 

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