DCF Child Care (HSAN) Health, Safety, and Nutrition REAL QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWER

DCF Child Care (HSAN) Health, Safety, and Nutrition REAL QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS Child care programs have a responsibility to maintain an environment that will promote children's health. What is health? - ANSWER Health is the total well-being of the child—including the physical, emotional, social, and mental self—in the absence of disease or abnormal conditions. Characteristics of a healthy environment that promote good health practices include: - ANSWER -Clean work and play areas -Proper hygiene practices -Implementation and routine practice of a written health policy Written policies regarding health practices are essential to maintaining a healthy environment in your child care program. - ANSWER -All policies should be accessible to all staff -At hire, employees should be given a copy of the policies -Rules should be posted and given to families Why is it important to have policies written? - ANSWER -To ensure parents and child care professionals are aware of procedures -To make sure everyone follows the same rules Establishing and following a written policy is an effective way of maintaining a safe and healthy child care program. - ANSWER Following your program's written health policies will help to ensure that the children in your care have an environment that is as free of disease as possible. Observation - ANSWER plays an essential role in determining a healthy environment and assists the caregiver in assessing the state of a child's health. A healthy child - ANSWER has a good appetite, appearance, and activity level. How are each of the senses used to observe a child? - ANSWER We can use our senses—sight, touch, sound, and smell—when checking for signs of wellness and/or illness. Sight - ANSWER - look at the child's complexion; observe for signs of pain or discomfort, such as limping, droopy eyes, or a runny nose Sound - ANSWER - listen to how the child is breathing, or if they are coughing or sniffling; listen to their words about how they are feeling Touch - ANSWER - does the child feel warm to the touch; does the child flinch when you touch them Smell - ANSWER - pay attention to how the child smells; for example, their breath Why is it important to use more than one sense at a time to observe warning signs? - ANSWER You cannot make a complete observation based on one small detail. For example, a red eyelid may not mean the presence of pink eye. Appetite - ANSWER -Can eat an appropriate amount of food at meal times -Will consume a variety of foods -Is interested in eating -Appears content after meals and snacks Appearance - ANSWER -Has clear, bright eyes -Has clear skin -Has age-appropriate muscles -Gains steadily in height and body weight Activity - ANSWER -Has plenty of energy (not hyperactive) -Is alert -Sleeps soundly -Has few aches and pains An emotionally healthy child - ANSWER usually reflects happy, cheerful feelings. A socially healthy child - ANSWER is friendly most of the time, interacts with other children, and enjoys quiet activities that require concentration. A mentally healthy child - ANSWER is interested in new experiences, and is usually confident and adaptable. The three A's of a healthy child are: - ANSWER Appetite, Appearance, and Activity. The term "special needs" - ANSWER refers to children who have medical, physical, emotional, or behavioral conditions that delay or affect development. Short term illness - ANSWER requires special attention for a brief period of time. Short-term illness vs. long term illness - ANSWER -Ear infection vs. hearing loss -A common cold vs. asthma -A sprained ankle vs. a foot deformit