—PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS FULLY BEFORE YOU PLACE A BID!!!!—

For this Performance Task, you will apply key practical concepts related  to fostering the health and safety of young children to create a  handbook for an early childhood setting. 

 Access the following to complete this Assessment:

 Your response to this Performance Task should reflect the criteria provided in the Rubric and adhere to the required length.  (RUBRIC IS IN THE ATTACHMENTS)

We Can Be Healthy and Safe Together!

You are the director of a small early childhood program serving  infants through preschoolers throughout the work day; adding care for  six school-age children, K-3, after their elementary school dismisses  for the day. Your city has just announced an initiative to promote well being in every community and you’re excited to involve your program  in this effort. You have met with the staff and family committee for  your program and together decided to develop a handbook to share with  all of the families in your program.

Your handbook will have five parts:

—PLEASE INCLUDE ALL 5 PARTS!!!!—

Part 1: What is Wellness for Young Children?   

The committee has decided that offering this type of introduction will create an essential shared understanding.

For this part of the handbook:

Write a brief introduction explaining the concept of wellness and its  importance in promoting healthy growth and development for young  children. Support your thinking with at least one credible and relevant  resource. (2-3 paragraphs)

Part 2: How Can Our Program Promote Quality Nutrition? 

Your program provides snacks and the preschoolers bring their lunches  from home. Members of the committee have noticed that oftentimes snacks  lean heavily on sugary foods and many of the children are bringing food  items that consist largely of empty calories. Understanding that  families and staff might benefit from reliable information to help them  make better nutritional choices, you decide to provide guidelines and  suggestions in the handbook. (2-3 Paragraphs)

For this part of the handbook:

• In an opening paragraph, explain some of the benefits of appropriate  nutrition for healthy brain development, preventing obesity, and  advancing good health in young children. Refer to at least two current  references.
• Using ChooseMyPlate.gov as a reference, suggest three practical and  nutritional sample lunch menus that families of toddlers, preschoolers,  or school-agers can pack for their children. Include one lunch  suggestion for a child with specific dietary preferences or needs such  as vegetarian or vegan.

Part 3: Healthy Early Childhood Environments: Inside and Out!

Although your center has clear policies regarding everyday practices  related to promoting children’s health, the committee recommended  sharing insights related to current thinking on environmental concerns  that can impact everyone in the setting.

For this part of the handbook:

• Summarize current thinking on making sure the following are safe and healthy:
  • Air Quality and Ventilation
  • Furniture and Carpets
  • Art Supplies
  • Water Play
  • Playdough/Clay
    (1 paragraph each)
• Describe your program policy for sun safety. Include special  consideration for infants, information on sunscreen protection,  protective eyewear, considerations for medication, and any other  relevant factors. (2-3 paragraphs)
• Describe your program policy for playing outdoors in cold weather.  Include what children need to wear and any temperature considerations  that would affect children going outdoors. (2-3 paragraphs)

Part 4: Let’s Be Prepared for Emergencies! 

The committee acknowledged that for the safety of children and  reassurance of families, it is critical that all stakeholders are well  informed about emergency preparation and response expectations. Your  program is committed to ongoing training on this important topic.

For this part of the handbook:

• General advance preparations for this type of emergency (supplies, staff training, drills, etc.)
• Evacuation or shelter-in-place procedures that will be followed
• Communication considerations
• Types of support that will be provided to children during the event and/or afterwards

(5-7 paragraphs) 

Part 5: Fostering Mental Health through Caring and Security

Members of the committee expressed concern about outside influences  that may be causing stress to children in the program. You agree that  helping children cope with stress is part of promoting mental health.  You are also aware that about half of the families in your program have  been or are currently dealing with a separation or divorce. You  recognize that this is a sensitive topic but you also want to reach out  to all families with information that might be useful during this type  of challenging situation—now or in the future.

For this part of the handbook:

• Explain at least three insights that reflect current thinking  regarding young children and divorce that may be helpful to parents in  this situation. Support your thinking with at least one credible and  relevant resource. (2-3 paragraphs)
• Identify two possible behaviors for each age group (infant, toddler,  preschooler, and school-age) that may indicate a child is experiencing  stress outside of the early childhood environment possibly due to  divorce or separation. (2-3 paragraphs)
• Recommend two strategies to use with young children, including  relevant age group(s) (infant, toddler, preschooler, and school-age) to  promote a sense of emotional safety and security within the early  childhood environment and/or at home.(2-3 paragraphs)