ECEA 300 Child Health, Safety and Nutrition
Assignment 1
Resources provide the information necessary to complete the assignments. Unless otherwise stated, the
page number(s) listed in each question, are found in the course textbook.
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Resource: British Columbia Early Learning Framework (BCELF)
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/education/earlylearning/teach/earlylearning/early_learning_framework.pdf
Resource: The Primary Program- A Framework for Teaching. 2000
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/education/early-learning/teach/resources/primary_prog.pdf
Resource: BC Licensing Regulation March 2022
https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/332_2007
Textbook: Sorte, Joanne, et al. Nutrition, Health, and Safety for Young Children. Available from:
VitalSource Bookshelf, (4th Edition). Pearson Education (US), 2020.
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**You can always search the internet to understand the concepts presented at a deeper level. Please cite
any sources that you use to answer any questions. Plagiarism is a serious issue. Please see the Student
Handbook for more information. **
Grade
A
80% or
above
B
70-79%
C (pass)
60-69%
DNC Did not
complete
course.
Criteria:
Student shows an advanced understanding of the readings. Reflection and connection include
theories, concepts, and/or strategies presented in the course materials to date. Viewpoints and
interpretations are insightful and well supported. Clear, detailed examples are provided, as
applicable.
Student shows an understanding of the readings. Reflection and connection demonstrate a
general understanding of the theories, concepts, and/or strategies presented in the course
materials to date. Viewpoints and interpretations are supported. Appropriate examples are
provided, as applicable.
Student shows some understanding of the readings. Reflection and connection demonstrate a
minimal reflection on, and personalization of, the theories, concepts, and/or strategies presented
in the course materials to date. Viewpoints and interpretations are unsupported or supported with
flawed arguments. Examples, when applicable, are not provided or are irrelevant to the
assignment.
Student has not shown understanding of the readings. Reflection and connection demonstrate a
lack of reflection on, or personalization of, the theories, concepts, and/or strategies presented in
the course materials to date. Viewpoints and interpretations are missing, inappropriate, and/or
unsupported. Examples, when applicable, are not provided.
Edit: May 2023
Part 1 Think Deeper
1. A child’s wellness must be nurtured and strengthened. Adopting an attitude of wellness allows a
child to take control and make decisions that improve their health. (Page 4)
a.
b.
c.
d.
Define wellness.
Describe how nutrition, health and safety are interconnected to wellness.
Describe the role of the educator in promoting wellness.
List current issues and trends that impact children’s health. (Page 5)
2. Children need shelter, food, and love to be happy and healthy. A child ‘s wellbeing is also affected
by their personality, their family and community. A child’s wellbeing impacts their learning and
growth in all developmental areas. Larger systemic trends also have a direct impact on wellbeing.
Describe factors that influence children’s wellness. (Page 11)
Factor
Describe how these factors influence wellness.
Considering the contexts
in which children grow
and develop
 Bronfenbrenner’s
Ecological
System Theory
Figure 1-2
Page 11
Understanding the
overarching challenges to
children's wellness
 Poverty (Page
12)
 Food insecurity
 Housing and
homelessness
 Environmental
health and safety
a. According to Sorte et al educators “must be advocates for addressing negative influences on
children’s development and promoters for supporting children’s wellness.” (Page 16) Please come
up with your own ideas when answering the questions below.
 What negative influences should be addressed? E.g., Homelessness
 What is one recommendation for progressive childcare policies? E.g., Provide
affordable housing to families.
 Describe one strategy that can be used to make a difference in this area? E.g.,
Write a letter to the Minister Responsible for Housing
 How can you educate the public about this problem? E.g., Write a letter to the
local newspaper.
 What groups and organizations can you join that advocate for the well-being of
children in this area? E.g., Sources Advocacy, Housing and Prevention Services
3. Learning is a complex process. Learning is an ongoing process that is simultaneously biological
and cultural. Each individual learner functions within a complex developmental, cognitive,
Edit: May 2023
physical, social, and cultural system. Learning also changes the brain throughout the life span.
Describe learning in each of the areas below. (Page 17)
Factors involved in learning
Physical Development
Cognitive Development
Language Development
Social-Emotional
Development
Inspiring a Positive Approach
to Learning
Using developmentally
appropriate practice (Page 18)
Following a purposeful
teaching cycle (Figure 1-5
Page 21)
Employing a variety of
teaching approaches (Page 21)
 Child-selected play
 Teacher-directed
activities
 Infusing wellness
topics across the
curriculum
 Hands-on Exploration
 Process-oriented
activities
 Project Learning
 Incidental Learning
 Culturally relevant
approaches
 Language- appropriate
learning
Describe how each factor influences learning
4. Scaffolding refers to breaking up new concepts into smaller manageable chunks so that the
concept can be learned more easily. By scaffolding, educators can improve the likeliness that
children will grasp new concepts and retain what they have learned. Analyze Figure 1.7- Steps in
Scaffolding Learning and complete the table below. (Page 23) (Primary Program- Page 46)
Step Scaffolding Approach
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Provide an example.
5. An effective curriculum meets the needs of each child attending the childcare facility.
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a. Why is it important to plan developmentally appropriate curriculum? (Page 19)
b. Look at Figure 1-4 on Page 19. What is the difference between what the toddler,
preschool children and primary-grade children can do?
c. Should a child’s unique needs and age be considered when developing curriculum? Why?
d. Should the child’s stage of development be considered when developing curriculum?
Why?
e. Should the child’s learning style be considered when developing curriculum? Why?
6. Early childhood is a critical time in human development. Understanding and supporting children's
wellness early on can make the greatest impact on physical, social, emotional, and cognitive health
throughout childhood and adulthood. What should an educator include when designing a Wellness
Curriculum? Familiarize yourself with the wellness messages listed in Figure 1-8. (Page 23)
Strategy
Identify
developmentally
appropriate wellness
messages
Review wellness
activities for safety
Writing Activity Lesson
Plans
Describe how the strategy increases the effectiveness of a curriculum
Provide an example of a Wellness Message
 Nutrition
 Health
 Safety
Describe the components.
 Teaching wellness message Learning outcome Vocabulary focus Safety watch Target age group Goal Materials Activity plan How to adjust the activity Did you meet your goal? -
Ensure that the lesson is
inclusive (Page 26)
Develop an Individual
Education Plan (IEP) as
needed (Page 27)
7. Educators require appropriate resources to provide quality programming to the children in their
care. Describe different resources available to educators in the table below. (Page 27)
Resources for
educators
Children’s literature
Figure 1-10
Teacher Resources
Figure 1-11
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Description of the resource
Professional
development training
in Canada (Page 29)
Part 2 Connect and Reflect
8. Educators play an important role in the promotion and maintenance of children’s wellness.
Healthy students are better learners. This cannot be done by educators alone. Parents and
community members are critical partners in providing the healthy start children need to thrive in
the classroom and in life. Research clearly shows that good nutrition, and a healthy and safe
environment are vital to children's wellness.
Family and community involvement is necessary to creating and sustaining culturally relevant and
academically stimulating curriculum. (Page 30)
a. Describe ways to collaborate with caregivers and community members in designing
curriculum.
Stakeholders involved in
curriculum development
Partnering with families
Engaging with Community
Resources
Convening an advisory
committee
Describe the role of each stakeholder
b. Could information about service philosophy, policies and procedures be shared with
stakeholders to encourage meaningful participation in curriculum development? How?
c. Should curriculum be adapted in response to expressed family needs? Why?
d. Should childcare staff respond promptly to family input and feedback? Why?
e. Should educators encourage families to observe, visit and participate in the childcare
program? Why?
9. Reinforcing wellness concepts at home is a natural extension of the classroom. Describe ways to
encourage families to reinforce the concept of wellness in their home. (Page 31)
Ways to promote home-school
collaboration
Communicating about wellness goals
Sharing community health information
Provide guidance when needed
Being healthy role models
What is the role of the educator? Caregiver?
10. Complete Figure 1-14 (Page 35) of the Self-Inventory for Wellness Practices.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Are you a healthful role model? Why or why not?
What can you do to improve your health?
Are you open to growth and change?
Do you care for yourself? Why or why not?
What are your personal values around wellness?
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11. Over the past few decades, children, their experiences, upbringings, and backgrounds have
changed. Classrooms now reflect families of varying races, cultures, and socioeconomic statuses.
As a result, the way teachers educate children must change.
a. Describe the cultural diversity/composition and socio-economic characteristics of the
community in which you will most likely work.
b. What aspects of each culture/tradition would you include when teaching children about
nutrition, health, and safety wellness?
c. List 2 community services, resources, or supports that are available in your community.
d. Describe the structure and needs of families in your community.
e. Describe the significant changes and development plans in your community.
Part 3 Theory into Practice
12. Familiarize yourself with the list of children’s literature in figure 1-10 (Page 28). You may have
some of these books at home, find them on YouTube or visit the public library. Describe the
wellness message.
Children’s Literature
List the title of 2 books and state the wellness message contained in the
book.
Nutrition
Health
Safety
a. Is it important to read to children? Why?
b. How does reading to a child benefit the child?
c. How does reading aloud to children benefit the child and caregiver relationship?
13. Hashim arrives to the centre each day with a variety of medical challenges including sneezing, a
raised, itchy, red rash (hives) and swollen lips, tongue, eyes, or face. At times, he complains of
tummy pain, and feeling sick. He has also vomited and had diarrhea.
a. What do you suspect is happening for Hashim?
b. What would you say to Hashim’s parents?
c. What would you remember to say or do when speaking with Hashim’s parents?
Edit: May 2023