Developmentally Appropriate Practices and The Preschool Child

Wellness is imperative to a healthy life. Sometimes, people do not really consider what makes up wellness, they simply think of it as being “well”. Wellness may be a state of being “well”, however, it incorporates different areas such as nutrition, health, safety, nurturing, and emotional stability. People must be healthy in all of these areas in order to achieve wellness. This is not an easy task for an adult but definitely not for children. In order for children to achieve wellness, they are completely dependent upon the adults in their lives; parents / caregivers, friends, and teachers.

In order to achieve wellness, teachers / caregivers must model and exhibit appropriate behaviors, i.e. exercise, healthy eating habits, personal hygiene, emotional fulfillment, and knowledge of healthy habits. Children begin learning this at home first with their parents / caregivers. Teachers are the next important person in a child’s life to help them achieve wellness (Sorte, et al., 2011). It is imperative for teachers and families to work together in order to achieve wellness for children. They must be role models and set examples for children.

After reading and completing the assessment at the end of Chapter One, the author realizes that wellness has not been as much of a priority for herself and her family as it should be. The author sees areas where good techniques are being applied to teach her children to achieve wellness. She also sees areas where improvements need to be made. She teaches her family good hygiene, in a loving nurturing environment. She also buys healthy snacks such as fruit, low fat cheese, skim milk, and yogurt. However, she also buys some cookies and chips. These items are not good snack foods. She realizes that ...

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...e will not be a positive one with the children being the ones that suffer. Wellness is a very important part of teaching. If everyone works collectively in communication and role modeling concerning wellness, the outcome will speak for itself with successful children living enriched lives.

References

Healthy Child Care America. (2007, April). Health and Safety E-News for Caregivers and Teachers. Retrieved from Healthy Child Care America: http://www.healthychildcare.org/ENewsApr07.html

Holland, M. Steps to Successful Hands-on Nutrition Activities. Nutrition Action. 13 (3), 524. Retrieved from Healthy Child Care Library of Articles: http://healthychild.net/NutritionAction.php?article_id=524

Sorte, J., Daeschel, I., Amador, C. (2011). Nutrition, Health, and Safety for Young Children. (Ashford University ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.