Overarching Principles
These principles should be kept in mind at all times when thinking about preschool
curriculum and working with young children.
1.
All children are capable of learning
2.
Children show individual differences in development
3.
Knowledge of child growth and development is essential for program
development and implementation
4.
Children’s language skills are the best indicators of academic success
5.
Developmental domains are highly interrelated
6.
Young children learn by doing
7.
Families are the primary caregivers and educators of their young children
Overview of the Health Education
Preschool Learning Experiences

Physical Development

Social and Emotional Health

Safety and Health Care
Review the Overview of Health Education document before
continuing this module.
Physical Development 1
1. Listen to and use appropriate
language describing the names
and functions of parts of the
human body.
Books about Body Functions
Parts and More Parts by Tedd Arnold
Me and My Amazing Body by Joan Sweeney
The Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body
by Joanna Cole
Physical Development 2
2. Build body awareness, strength, and
coordination through locomotion
activities.
Gross Motor Activities
Gross Motor Activities

Hopping on one or two legs

Skipping

Running

Swinging

Riding a scooter or tricycle

Animal Movement Imitations




Image courtesy of Bob Grahame
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/83712832@N00/13623
03899/) (2007) Attribution-NonCommercialShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
Frog
Rabbit
Kangaroo
elephant
Physical Development 3
3. Discuss various aids and
accommodations used by
people for the activities of daily
life.
Age Appropriate Books about
Children with Disabilities
Image courtesy of flickr
by y.accesslab
http://farm6.static.flickr.c
om/5204/5295173306_9
0944a88c7_z.jpg
(2009) (CC BY-NC-ND
2.0)
Image courtesy of flickr
by hm.matheus
http://farm2.static.flickr.c
om/1126/4609827016_1
bb49bf82c_z.jpg
(2009) (CC BY-NC-ND
2.0)
Image courtesy of flickr
by Clint Gardner
http://farm1.static.flickr.c
om/172/395945986_b99
33cc3f4_z.jpg?zz=1
(2009) (CC BY-NC-ND
2.0)
Physical Development 4
4. Build awareness of
directionally and position
in space.
Image courtesy of wickedlocal.com
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT40lPjSKeLy5
aq9FuLS5FQe8tb_jLGKSX1NyhcuMtCC784oXM&t=1
(2007) CC BY-NC-ND 3.0
Songs and Games for Spatial
Awareness

Hokey Pokey

Simon Says

Follow the Leader

Jigsaw Puzzles
Physical Development 5
5. Use both sides of the
body to strengthen
bilateral coordination.
Image courtesy of flickr by mollyjolly
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/2629982264_a338d7a355_z.jpg?zz=1
(2010) CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Bilateral Activities

Pushing a wheelbarrow

Jumping with two feet over
a rope or jump-roping

Lifting things with both
arms

Pushing a block on the
ground with both feet

Sack Races
Physical Development 6
6. Alternate the left and
right sides of the body
and cross the midline of
the body.
Image courtesy of flickr by SewPixie
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/248/3263517809_0f1625dc1e_z.jpg?zz=1
(2010) CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Single Side Activities

Hopping on one foot

Turning a jump-rope with
one hand

Carrying an object with one
hand

Hand over hand progress
on climbing bars

Moving a large bubble
wand with one arm
Physical Development 7
7. Build upper body strength
and stability to gain
controlled movement of
shoulders.
Shoulder Strengthening Activities
Water-Funnel Video

Crab walk

Propelling self on a scooter
with the arms

Hanging from two arms on
the monkey bars

Pushing a wheelbarrow or
cart

Pouring objects in a sand or
water table
Physical Development 8
8. Strengthen hand grasp and
flexibility.
Activities

Playing with Playdoh with
tools

Using clothespins

Squeezing squirt bottles
or a turkey baster in the
water table

Using a hand-size holepunch
Image courtesy of flickr by mirsasha
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2093/1720514272_f4dcb91467_z.jpg
(2010) CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Physical Development 9
9. Use thumb/forefinger in pincer
grip.
Activities


Pegboard
Moving small objects
between containers

Making pictures with stickers

Playing with Legos

Using tweezers
Image courtesy of Luigi Chelsea
(http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chiodini_wiki.jpg)
(2007) Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Unpotted
3.0
Physical Development 10
10. Use a variety of tools
and materials to build
grasp-and-release skill.
Scissors Video
Image courtesy of Tracy Lee
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/tracyleephoto/363501
8827/) (2009) Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs
2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Physical Development 11
11. Build finger dexterity.
Activities

Flipping coins

Putting pegs in
LiteBrite©

Finger plays

Dressing dolls with
zippers, snaps, and
buttons
Image courtesy of flickr by Rob Hayes.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4849581042_d366eba126_z.jpg
(2010) CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Physical Development 12
12. Use eye-hand
coordination, visual
perception and tracking,
and visual motor skills in
play activities.
Sewing Cards Video
Physical Development 13
13. Discuss
nutritious
meals and
snacks and
the difference
between junk
food and
healthy food.
Image courtesy of Steve Garfield
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevegarfield/2504561841/)
(2008) Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0
Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
Physical Development 14
14. Practice personal
hygiene and safety
measures.

Clean eating surfaces

Wash hands

Do not share utensils or
cups

Cough into a tissue or your
elbow

Use cutting tools safely
Washing Hands Video
Physical Development 15
15. Discuss gender and growth in age-appropriate ways.
Image courtesy of Shavar Cross
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/shava
r/27886472/) (2005) AttributionNonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0
Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Topics
•Baby Animals
•Babies
•Growth
•Differences between boys and
girls
•Differences between boys/men
and girls/women
•Constancy of gender
Image courtesy of Muhammad
Mahdi Karim
(http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
File:Kid_girl.jpg) (2008) Creative
Commons Attribution/ShareAlike
2.5)
Social and Emotional
Health 16
16. Recognize and describe or represent
emotions such as happiness,
surprise, anger, fear, sadness.
Books to Teach Feelings

Making Faces
by Nick Butterworth

Mama Cat Has Three Kittens
by Denise Fleming

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No
Good, Very Bad Day
by Judith Viorst and illustrated by Ray
Cruz

Ask Mr. Bear
by Marjorie Flack

*Everybody Has Feelings
by Charles E. Avery
Image courtesy of Jane Costa Lima
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/jane_costa_lima/2217777
720/) (2007) Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0
Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
Social and Emotional
Health 17
17. Talk about ways to solve or prevent
problems and discuss situations that
illustrate that actions have
consequences.
Books for Teaching Conflict Resolution

Subway Sparrow by Leyla Torres

Mama, Do You Love Me? by Barbara Joosse

The Hating Book by Charlotte Zolotow

George and Martha: One Fine Day / George and
Martha: Tons of Fun by James Marshall

Zinnia and Dot by Lisa Campbell Ernst

The Adventures of Connie and Diego by Maria
Garcia
Swimmy by Leo Lionni
Image courtesy of Darrell J. Rohl
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/sokabs/2668156039/) (2007)
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BYNC-ND 2.0)
Social and Emotional
Health 18
18. Talk about how people
can be helpful/hurtful to
one another.
Techniques to Help Children with
Hurtful Situations
Role Playing
Talking to Puppets or Stuffed Toys
Conflict Resolution Video
Talking about situations that have
happened
Reading Stories about hurtful
situations
Social and Emotional
Health 19
19. Practice independence
and self-help skills.
Self-Help Skills in Preschool
Serving themselves food from
serving dishes
Eating independently
Self-Help Skills Video
Dressing themselves
Using the toilet
Asking for help
Washing their hands
Daily school tasks-Writing, cutting,
choosing toys
Social and Emotional
Health 20
20. Describe members of
their family and discuss
what parents do for their
children to keep them
safe and healthy.
Families Books for Preschool
Safety and Health Care 21
21. Discuss strategies to prevent
injury and illness, control the
spread of disease, and promote
cleanliness.
Image courtesy of Alan Levine
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/3193507
634/0 (2009) Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY
2.0)
Safety and Health Care 22
22. Talk about the common
symptoms of illness and
injury and what they
should do when they
hurt or don't feel well.
Image courtesy of Bob Reck
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/u2sockmonkey/143978332/sizes/o/in
/photostream/) (2006) Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0
Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Safety and Health Care 23
23. Discuss tooth care and
dental health including
brushing, flossing, and
healthy foods.
Brushing Teeth Video
Image courtesy of Jill Watson
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/jillwatson/4214426551/) (2009)
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NCND 2.0)
Safety and Health Care 24
24. Discuss rules for safety
in a variety of settings
including fire safety,
weapons safety, bus
safety, seat belt use,
playground safety, as
well as safety at home
and in the community.
Safety and Health Care 25
25. Talk and listen to stories
about safe, unsafe, and
inappropriate touch and
ways to protect
themselves.
Remind children hands are
for helping.
The goal is to make them
feel safe and know what
to do if something bad
happens.
Resources

http://barcc.org/informati
on/educators/ece

http://trainingcenter.neari.com/trainingcenter/

Understanding Children's
Sexual Behaviors-From
Natural and Healthy to
Disturbed by Toni
Cavanagh Johnson, Ph.D.
Safety and Health Care 26
26. Talk about what to do
when someone gets hurt
and the rules for
universal precautions
(do not touch body
fluids; wash hands after
touching body fluids).
Image courtesy of flickr by ReSurge International
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(2010) CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Safety and Health Care 27
27. Identify and distinguish
between substances that
are safe to be taken by
mouth.
Image courtesy of U.S. Army
(http://usarmy.vo.llnwd.net/e1/images/2009/03/03/31654/army.mil-31654-2009-03-03140303.jpg” (2009)
Safe to Eat
Not Safe
Food
Rocks
Drinks
Dirt
Cough drops
Toys
Gum
Playdoh
Safety and Health Care 28
28. Describe the purpose of
medicines and how they
can be used or misused,
and what to do in an
emergency.
Image courtesy of oblivion9999
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/oblivion/2293051496/) (2008)
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BYNC-SA 2.0)
Safety and Health Care 29
29. Talk about some basic
ways they can keep
their environment clean
or take care of it.
Things to Do at School and
in the Community

Pick up trash

Recycle

Plant a tree

Use fewer disposable
items
Image courtesy of Colleen Lane
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/colleenlane/4399378949/sizes/o/in/photostream/)
(2009) Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic
(CC BY-ND 2.0)
Next Steps

Read the articles included below that support why these
standards are being taught and the best ways to teach
them.

Look over the Health Education scope and sequence
checklist and inventory for meeting Health Education
standards and keeping track of how you meet them. This is
also a tool that can be used to plan progress monitoring for
students. Remember you can work on multiple standards
simultaneously.

Complete the Health Education module quiz.

Complete and turn in your Health Education module
assignment via Blackboard.
Congratulations!! You have completed the Health Education