ERIC Number: EJ899463
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 7
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1068-6177
EISSN: N/A
Health and Safety: Involving Community Workers in Early Childhood Classrooms
Wallinga, Charlotte; Coleman, Mick; Bales, Diane
Dimensions of Early Childhood, v35 n2 p25-31 Spr-Sum 2007
Dramatic improvements have been made in the lives of children over the last century. Even so, many health and safety challenges remain unresolved. For example, unintentional injuries claim the lives of more children each year than any other cause of death. In addition, a panel of pediatricians reported that the incidence of childhood obesity doubled in the past two decades. Fortunately, both unintentional injuries and obesity, as well as other health and safety problems, are often linked to preventable behaviors and environmental situations that can be addressed through health education. For early childhood teachers, this provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with community workers. This article suggests ways in which community workers can collaborate with early childhood teachers to help children develop healthy and safe behaviors. It is divided into three sections that reflect the questions asked during health and safety trainings for early childhood trainers and teachers: (1) Why call upon community workers when teaching health and safety?; (2) Which community workers can help with health and safety activities?; and (3) How can staff work with community workers to ensure a meaningful educational experience for young children? (Contains 2 tables.)
Descriptors: Health Education, Safety, Injuries, Young Children, School Community Relationship, Accident Prevention, Health Behavior, Child Health, Well Being, Community Involvement, Obesity, Cooperative Planning
Southern Early Childhood Association. P.O. Box 55930, Little Rock, AR 72215. Tel: 800-305-7322; Fax: 501-227-5297; e-mail: info@southernearlychildhood.org; Web site: http://www.southernearlychildhood.org/publications.php
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: Community; Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A