Health Sciences in ECD

Flashcards about health in Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE), definition of health, the World Health Organisation (WHO), health promoting schools, the aspects of health and wellbeing, factors that influence health, learning disabilities, child development theories, wellness model, Self-determination theory, positive psychology theory, the relationship between Child development theories and learning health sciences in ECD, the teaching approaches of HS in ECD, stages theory, behaviorism, social cultural theory, bronfenbrenner s ecological theory, progressive theory .constructivist theory ,self actualisation theory, Erikson's theory, importance of integrating health science in life skills education. the definition of health and wellness, health promotion + health education, role players in the child s health and wellbeing, common childhood illnesses infectious illnesses+ health conditions medical conditions illness signs + symptoms management allergies

Early Childhood Development (ECD)

Refers to a comprehensive approach to policies and programmes for children from birth to nine years of age with the active participation of their parents and caregivers. Its purpose is to protect the child’s rights to develop his or her full cognitive, emotional, social and physical potential.

Health

Refers to various dimensions, including Physical, Emotional, Cognitive, Social, Ecological and Mental. It is the optimal functioning of an individual at the top of the health continuum. More than the absence of an illness = a state of physical, mental, social, emotional well-being – one leads a purposeful life with purposeful relationships.

World Health Organisation (WHO)

WHO's main functions can be summed up as follows: to act as a directing and coordinating authority on international health work, to ensure valid and productive technical cooperation, and to promote research. The objective of WHO is the attainment by all people of the highest possible level of health.

Health Promoting Schools (WHO)

A health promoting school is one that constantly strengthens its capacity as a healthy setting for living, learning and working. Strives to provide a healthy environment, school health education, and school health services along with school/community projects and outreach, health promotion programmes for staff, nutrition and food safety programmes, opportunities for physical education and recreation, and programmes for counseling, social support and mental health promotion.

Health Sciences in Early Childhood Development (ECD)

Health sciences in early childhood is the study of young children’s well being. It involves understanding, analysing and implementing ECDE activities and practices in different contexts with children to help them achieve wellness, emotionally cognitively, physically, psychologically and socially

Wellbeing

A state of physical, mental and social wellbeing as interrelated with the environment in which one lives and works and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (WHO). Has to do with the best quality of health, strength, energy, liveliness and vigour to enjoy life.

Three Aspects of Health (Health Triangle)

Physical, Mental and Social Health

Cognitive influences on Health and Wellbeing

How thinking processes and intellectual abilities affect a child's health and overall wellbeing, including problem solving, memory, decision making and attention.

Social influences on Health and Wellbeing

How relationships with peers, family, community and the wider social environment shapes a child's health and overall wellbeing, including social support, cultural norms and exposure to violence.

Physical influences on Health and Wellbeing

How a child's physical development, health status and access to healthcare impacts their health and overall wellbeing, including nutrition, physical activity and access to clean water

Emotional influences on Health and Wellbeing

How a child's emotional state, self-esteem and ability to manage feelings impact their health and wellbeing, including emotional regulation, self-awareness and resilience.

Language influences on Health and Wellbeing

How a child's communication abilities, literacy skills and access to information impacts their health and wellbeing, including language development, communication skills and health literacy.

Hedonic Well-being

Well-being is equated with hedonic pleasure or happiness.The idea of maximising pleasure originates from ancient Greek philosophy. Happiness lies in the successful pursuit of our human appetites and that pleasure is the ultimate goal of life. Individuals who maximise pleasure and self-interest build a good society.

Eudaimonia Well-being

Basis of every moral and mindful act comprises the possibility of creating personal welfare or happiness. Eudaimonia includes optimal effectiveness and not only positive affective state such as happiness. The focus should be on the quality of life as a whole, opposed to just having good feelings, or getting what you want, or enjoying something that you are doing.

Psychological Well-being

Called an “umbrella term". Does not mean that individuals feel good all the time. Refers to a theory of homeostasis where personal well-being is maintained by an internal active management system enables individuals to function effectively when things go wrong.

Ryff model of wellbeing

The theory that argues that there are six integrated dimensions to psychological well-being: SELF ACCEPTANCE, PERSONAL GROWTH,AUTONOMY,RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS, ENVIRONMENTAL MASTERY and PURPOSE OF LIFE

Wellness model

A theory that has 6 dimensions: PHYSICAL, SPIRITUAL LEVEL, INTELLECTUAL, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL and OCCUPATIONAL.

Bio-psycho-social spiritual model

According to this theory a holistic perceptive should be applied to wellbeing by taking into account the biological, psychological social and spiritual aspects. Biological: Children should be supported to make health choices. Psychological: Support practices to help with psychological wellbeing. A child should be encouraged to discuss their feelings Social: Social experiences can be stressful. Teachers need to help children to have healthy social relationships Spiritual: Ability to relate to a specific religion and engage in scripture reading and prayer to relate to a spiritual being.

Self-determination theory (SDT)

It is linked to the study of human motivation and personality. It relates to the following fundamental needs that humans have: AUTONOMY: The need to make choices, COMPETENCE: Confidence in what one is doing and wants to do and RELATEDNESS: Need to have human connections and relationships

Positive psychology

This theory views wellbeing from both a hedonic and eudemonic perspective. According to this theory wellbeing is the pleasant life, the good life and the meaningful life. It focuses on positive experiences in the past (while being, contentment and satisfaction), the present (happiness and flow experiences) and the future (hope and optimism

Teaching of health sciences in ECD is closely linked to what?

Child development theories which tell us about how children learn

Piaget’s Stages theory

Child development is a maturation process children develop through stages. Children are curious and are born motivated to explore their environments. They learn through experience and by being actively involved with things around them to understand certain phenomena or how things work.

Behaviourism

Children learn through their responses to stimuli in their environments. This is also called the stimuli-response model. It results in reinforcement of positive or negative behaviour. A positive response will increase the behaviour, while a negative response will minimize the particular behaviour

Social Cultural Theory

Child development is a social process, development and learning take place within a social cultural context. They learn about their beliefs, values, customs and practices of their societies in which they live and grow. Emphasis in cultural theory are: interdependence, relationships, negotiation skills, learning through adults facilitation skills and problem solving skills.

Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory

Explains how the inherent qualities of a child and his environment interact to influence how he will grow and develop. It stressed the importance of studying a child in the context of multiple environments, also known as ecological systems in the attempt to understand his development.

Progressive Theory (John Dewey)

Learning should be an experiential process guided by children’s interest. Teachers should focus on and promote discovery learning through inquiry. Education experience should be relevant to the child’s context and realities.Dewey’s contribution to ECE is on child centred curriculum approaches.

Constructivist Theory (Jean Piaget)

Children developed their skills and knowledge from interaction with their environment. Physical engagement with the environment enables a child to construct knowledge. Children should be provided learning when they are ready for it

Social Cultural Theory (Lev Vygotsky)

The child’s development socially, intellectually and in terms of language happens through interaction with other people, adults and other children. Adults who are experienced should guide children’s learning according to their learning abilities. (Zone of proximal development). Children should be guided in their learning so that they are able to achieve completion of tasks and gain competence Vygotsky called this process scaffolding.

Self-Actualisation Theory (Abraham Maslow)

Children and human beings in general need their basic needs to be met before they able to learn. Maslow developed a hierarchy of needs. According to this hierarchy shelter, food, air, and water are the most basic needs at the bottom of his hierarchy. He placed self-esteem and self-actualization at the top. Research has proved that the brain of child who is stressed produces chemicals that inhibit learning

Erikson’s Theory (Erik Erikson)

Cognitive and social development are linked and that children’s characters and personalities are impacted by their society and their experiences. Adults play a very important role in children’s psycho- social development. Children develop in stages and they need support to successfully achieve the outcomes of each stage.

Health education

The deliberate structuring of planned learning opportunities about health which are aimed at voluntary changes in health-related behaviours to give individuals the opportunity of achieving a more favourable position on the health continuum.

Health promotion

Any combination of health education with related organisational, political and economic interventions designed to facilitate behavioural and environmental adaptations that will improve or protect health in individuals, groups or communities

Key Departments for Children’s Health + Wellbeing

DBE, Department of social development, Department of water affairs, Department of health and Department of housing

What are germs?

Tiny intruders, that we cannot even see, that can make our bodies very sick and cause diseases.Four major types: Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi and Protozoa

Interrelatedness of Health, Safety and Nutrition

Health, safety and nutrition are interrelated. Each of these aspects directly influence the quality of others.

Malnutrition

Refers to deficiencies, excesses or imbalances in an individual's’ intake of energy and/or nutrients.

Kwashiorkor

Caused by protein and micronutrient (iron, folic acid, iodine, vitamin A, B, C and E antioxidants, etc.) deficiency.Poverty, ignorance, lack of basic health education & nutritional knowledge, child abuse. Children 1 – 4 years are affected.

Marasmus

Severe wasting, loss of fat and muscle strength, growth retardation, skin becomes wrinkled, hollowing cheeks, physical changes (looks anxious, irritable, excessively cry, sleep little, are always hungry, chronic starvation, chronic diarrhoea, vomiting, Vitamin A & D and iron deficiencies.

Obesity

is caused by an increased intake of energy-dense foods that are high in unsaturated fats and sugars but low in vitamins, minerals, and other healthy micronutrients. A trend towards decreased levels of physical activity is also a key factor.

Safety

In relation to children, refers to behaviour and practices that protect a child from harm, injuries and danger.

What are the roles and responsibilities of citizens?

1. Obey laws. 2. Respect the rights of others. 3. Participate in their community. 4. Stay informed about important issues. 5. Hold elected officials accountable. 6. Serve in public office if called upon or elected. 7. Protect and appreciate the environment 8. Help neighbors in need.

Accidents and injuries

Injuries happen when children are not properly taken care of. Many injuries results from:
Supervision is inadequate.
The environment is unsafe.
Children are not taught about safety rules.
There aren’t enough safe playthings available.

What are the most common accidents in ECD settings?

Falls, Poisoning, Drowning, Burns, Suffocation, Cuts, and Road accidents

Safety guidelines for ECD settings

1. Active Supervision: Constant focused attention, anticipating children’s behaviour, and intervening when necessary.

2. Physical Space: indoor and outdoor areas should be well maintained and free of hazards.

3. Safe Materials and Equipment: Non-toxic and age appropriate materials.

4. Emergency Procedures: Trained in first aid and CPR.

5. Hygiene Practices: Regular hand washing, sanitizing of surfaces.

6. Transportation Safety: Follow safety regulations for transporting children

7. Parent communication: Communicate regularly about safety policies and any incidents that occur.

Nutrition

Refers to the intake of food, considered in relation to the body’s dietary needs. Good nutrition – an adequate, well balanced diet combined with regular physical activity – is a cornerstone of good health. Poor nutrition can lead to reduced immunity, increased susceptibility to disease, impaired physical and mental development and reduced productivity

Essential Nutrients

1. Protein: meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy, legumes, nuts and seeds.
2. Carbohydrates: grains, fruits, vegetables and dairy.
3. Fats: oils, nuts, seeds, avocado, olives and fatty fish.
4. Vitamins: fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat and fortified foods
5. Minerals: fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, nuts, and fortified foods

Micro and Macro Nutrients

Macronutrients: are the nutrients the body needs in large amounts include carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
Micronutrients: the nutrients the body needs in smaller amounts, which include vitamins and minerals.

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