Table of Contents
This is an introduction
Evaluation of Risk
Washing one’s hands
Food Preparation/Eating/Sanitation
Outdoor Equipment
Developmental Assessment of Children
Erik Erikson’s concept of psychosocial development
Jean Piaget’s concept of cognitive growth
To sum up,
Here is an introduction
The life of a younger child is dependent on education. These children are rapidly learning new skills and concepts every day. Preschoolers love learning in the classroom because it provides plenty of stimulation as well as support. It must consider the developmental needs of each child and ensure safety. This paper will discuss the above mentioned issues using different developmental theories and a California Childcare Health Program (CCHP), Safety and Health Checklist. This paper does not contain the real names of any students.
Safety Assessment. A typical preschool classroom was evaluated using the CCHP Health and Safety Checklist. For assessment, three safety standards were chosen. These categories include handwashing, food preparation/eating/sanitation, and outdoor equipment. These categories will then be evaluated and discussed in relation to the importance of each. Handwashing Handwashing is a vital part of disease and infection control. Wilson and Hockenberry argue that hand hygiene should be a priority in health care facilities to reduce transmission of infectious diseases. Hand hygiene is an integral part of classroom life. Children can easily spread germs by touching, playing and touching all kinds of surfaces and objects. Some areas of hand hygiene were good, but others weren’t. The CCHP Health and Safety Checklist addresses a wide range of handwashing issues, including handwashing resources, handwashing staff, and handwashing techniques for children. The handwashing procedure was posted in the area near the sinks. But, no detailed instructions were provided. The sinks had enough water for the children. Staff were seen washing their hands before cooking. Some children didn’t wash their hands after they used the bathroom. About 8 out 12 children were observed washing dishes before breakfast. Only 6 out of 8 children washed their hands properly. Only 6 children out of 12 were observed washing their hands after consuming breakfast. The rest washed them correctly. Hand hygiene is essential in any environment where there are multiple children, especially in a classroom setting.
Van Beek and Tomer, Richardus and Voeten note that children who are enrolled in daycare centers are more susceptible to developing gastrointestinal and respiratory infections than those who do not attend. These infections can be decreased if there are guidelines for teachers and children on handwashing. It will also improve the overall health of the school and facility. Children who are healthy can learn, participate and complete their education.
Food Preparation/Eating/Sanitation In this particular classroom and facility, the children are able to eat three meals per day, depending on when they arrive or leave the facility. Proper food preparation and storage are essential for maintaining food safety and quality. It is possible to get serious illness from food that has been contaminated, expired, and undercooked. The CCHP Health and Safety Checklist examines many aspects of food preparation and eating. These include food regulation and sanitation. All perishables were not kept in a refrigerator more than one hour.
The kitchen is the main room where food preparation occurs. Floors, table tops and countertops are cleaned after each meal. You can use the tables for eating as play surfaces. If they aren’t cleaned up properly, it could be dangerous. There was no menu available for food that was being served during the program. Children should be taught how to properly prepare and clean up after eating. Fraser, Chapman & Chen point out that child-care environments outside the home can harbor pathogens. To prevent these diseases, strict standards must be established and maintained in education and child care facilities.
Outdoor Equipment Equipment is a great way for children to get outside and exercise. It can, however, pose a danger for injury if it is not used properly. Hockenberry, Wilson and others note that injuries are the leading cause of disability and death in children in America (2015). Although they can happen in many settings, such injuries are usually minor. The CCHP Health and Safety Checklist explains how to protect outdoor equipment and play areas, such as supervision, enclosure and shock-absorbing surface.
The children were watched by staff who were always present in the outdoors areas. They had multiple exits and a fence around the perimeter that was unlikely to be broken by the children. The playground surface, which was made up of shock-absorbing woodenchips, extended about 6 feet beyond its equipment. Stability is assured. The equipment does not sway or tip over when shaken. The area is clean and free of sharp objects and litter. It is important to regulate outdoor equipment and monitor its use to avoid injuries to children. Gyllencreutz and Rolfsman warn that children can be encouraged to engage in riskier activities in outdoor settings. Children can hide the dangers in outdoor settings that could pose a threat to their safety.
Hidden risks can be avoided by keeping children safe in the outdoors and with equipment. Children can enjoy their outdoor space without fear and can explore it freely. Children should always be careful when using outdoor equipment or engaging in outside activities. This will prevent them from getting hurt and potentially causing serious injury.
Developmental Assessment of Children. This assessment was done in addition to a safety evaluation. These children can be referred to as two developmental theories. First, Erikson’s theory for psychosocial and second, Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development. These theories allow children to be evaluated for developmental progress and delay relative to their age.
Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development Erikson is concerned with how children solve conflicts as they grow up. Conflicts that are not resolved can lead to difficulties. Dunkel and Harbke acknowledge that the theory is old but it is still evolving, especially with respect to its concepts about ego identity (generativity) and others. This theory is flexible and can be applied to many different situations and generations. Hockenberry & Wilson state that preschoolers’ main psychosocial task is to learn to take initiative (2015). They must choose between guilt and initiative. Children learn to be independent and take charge of their surroundings. Children feel fulfilled and happy when they do their best, but they feel guilty for not following their limits.
This group includes most students in the classroom. The classroom was witness to the conflict of guilt and initiative. Each station has a limit to the number of children allowed. The teacher advised a group that was too large to be allowed in one station that they would not allow them to play there. It is possible that their initial sense of initiative turned into guilt.
Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development seeks to explain how children become more intelligent as they get older. It examines how children learn and think. Wilson and Hockenberry point out that the main goal of preschool is for the child to be ready for school and scholastic education (2015). Preoperational is the age range for preschool-aged children, and it spans between ages 2-7. Their thinking patterns include a lot more magical thinking. This is because their thoughts are powerful and can cause anything to happen. The child also begins to be able to think from other perspectives. The preschool child still believes everyone thinks the same as them, and that a short explanation is all that is necessary (2015). This stage may make it difficult for children to differentiate reality from fantasy. Maftei & Mairean found that children who are older have greater abilities to recognize the difference between reality and fantasy in their study of fiction versus real. The child gets better at recognizing the difference between real and fake as they get older.
This stage can accommodate all children who were observed in the classroom. Multiple instances were witnessed where children jumped up and said things that were not obvious to everyone. One little girl was furious when no one called her happy birthday even though she had not told anyone. She believed that everyone knew her birthday because of her egocentrism.
The experience gained from the preschool classroom offers a valuable insight into the lives of children. A strategy can be developed to address safety concerns in multiple classrooms, so that the facility is safer for children and staff. It is possible to tailor teaching strategies to these children’s learning styles and abilities so that education is effective. To ensure that each child can learn at his or her own pace, it’s important to recognize the differences in developmental levels within the classroom. At this age, it is crucial that children learn skills to promote health such as handwashing. It is also important that they understand the importance and safety of outdoor play. They should use education to promote safety and well being at this stage.
