Chabot College
Fall 2009
Replaced Fall 2010
Course Outline for Early Childhood Development 54
CHILD HEALTH, SAFETY AND NUTRITION
Catalog Description:
ECD 54 – Child Health, Safety and Nutrition
3 Units
Aspects of nutrition, health and safety that promote and maintain the health and
wellbeing of all children and adults who work with young children. Topics include health
and nutritional guidelines, maintaining safe and healthy learning environments, state
regulations, policies and procedures, common childhood illnesses, infectious diseases,
school-family collaboration, emergency preparedness and Community CPR, First Aid and
injury prevention. 3 hours.
[Typical contact hours: 52.5]
Prerequisite Skills:
None.
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1. explain the interrelatedness of nutrition, health, and safety;
2. identify and plan nutritionally balanced snacks and meals for all children with
consideration to cultural and special nutritional needs;
3. describe the methods for safe food preparation, handling and disposal;
4. demonstrate techniques of health, safety and hygiene practices for all children;
5. identify the symptoms and transmission of communicable diseases affecting children
and adults in the early care and education environment;
6. describe the signs and symptoms of child abuse, and prepare appropriate reports;
7. demonstrate techniques and activities that reduce stress in children;
8. demonstrate basic skills of responding to common emergencies, First-aid and
Community CPR;
9. analyze current licensing regulations regarding health, safety and nutrition for
facilities and family child care homes;
10. evaluate classroom health policies and health records including health appraisal,
immunization record, and emergency card for compliance with regulations;
11. describe ways that parents and caregivers can work together to develop good
nutrition, health and safety habits in children;
12. apply knowledge of community resources to address the specific health needs of
children.
Course Content:
1.
Nutritional needs
a.
Birth- school age
b.
Special dietary concerns, eating issues and other special needs, such as
allergies, obesity and Diabetes
c.
Common nutritional issues and challenges
2.
Standards of food preparation, handling and disposal
a.
Department of Social Services regulations
b.
Nutritional requirements
Chabot College
Course Outline for ECD 54
Fall 2009
c.
d.
e.
Menu planning
Food preparation and curriculum design
Planning meals that appeal to all children and represent classroom
culture
3.
Role modeling health and safety practices
a.
Exhibiting healthy practices
b.
Exhibiting safe behavior
c.
Practicing and modeling universal precautions
4.
Children’s illness
a.
Common Communicable illnesses
1) Symptoms
2) Precaution
b.
Responding to illness
1) Informal observation of children and routine health checks
2) Notifying parents and record-keeping
5.
Recognizing signs of abuse and neglect
a.
Family and cultural dynamics
b.
Observing children
c.
Symptoms
1) Physical abuse
2) Physical neglect
3) Sexual abuse
4) Emotional abuse
d.
Mandated reporting
e.
Accessing community resources
6.
Minimizing stress in the environment
a.
Stress in young children
b.
Stress in providers and teachers
c.
Response to stress
d.
Techniques and activities to reduce stress
7.
Teaching safety and emergency procedures
a.
Involvement of children in identifying rules
b.
Explaining safety rules to children
c.
Activities that teach safety
8.
Creating a safe environment
a.
Equipment and facilities indoor and outdoor
b.
Explaining and practicing emergency and evacuation procedures
c.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
d.
First Aid and Community CPR
9.
Health, safety, and nutrition regulations
a.
Familiarity with current regulations
b.
Following health and safety regulations
c.
Maintaining records
10.
Collaborating with families to implement health, safety, and nutritional practices
a.
Informing families regarding health, safety, and nutrition issues within a
cultural context
b.
Techniques for sharing health, safety and nutrition information
c.
Utilizing community services
2
Chabot College
Course Outline for ECD 54
Fall 2009
Methods of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Lecture and discussion
Films, tapes, and resource speakers
Assigned reading and written work
Small and large group discussion
On-line research on childhood illnesses
First Aid and Community CPR
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1.
2.
Typical Assignments
a.
Select a communicable illness from a list supplied by the class instructor
and write a research paper.
b.
Observe a child care center and assess the health and safety
components of that center and submit a written action plan that
addresses corrective measures.
c.
Visit and report on a community agency, which offers health, and safety
materials, which can be used by families.
d.
Apply emergency First Aid techniques to mock scenarios for an ill or
injured child.
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a.
Mid term
b.
Final examination
c.
Class attendance and participation
d.
Individual and/or group report
e.
Demonstration of Community CPR and First Aid techniques
Textbook(s):
Lynn R. Marotz, Marie Z. Gross, Jeanettia M. Rush, Health, Safety, and Nutrition for the Young
Child, 6th edition, Thomson Delmar Learning, New York, 2005
Cathie Robertson, Safety, Nutrition and Health in Early Education, 3rd edition, Thomson Delmar
Learning, New York, 2007.
American Red Cross, First Aid, CPR/AED for School and Community, 2007.
California Attorney Journal Child Abuse Prevention Handbook, 3rd edition, Sacramento
Department of Justice, 2000. (this is the latest edition)
Special Student Materials:
First Aid and Community CPR Training (Fees required)
3