Growth and Development: Preschool Health Promotion

Growth and Development: Health Promotion of the Preschool and Family

• Course code: 1402301
• Part two of the course
• Prepared by Dr. Haytham Al-Oran and Dr. Rawnaq Almahadeen
• Focuses on health promotion for preschoolers and their families

Learning Objectives

• Students will summarize anticipatory guidance for parents about common concerns during preschool.
• Students will identify optimal health patterns in preschoolers, including:
  • Nutrition
  • Sleep and rest
  • Dental health
  • Safety promotion and injury prevention

Introduction

• Coping with concerns related to normal growth and development in preschoolers
• Common experiences include:
  • Preschool and Kindergarten experiences
  • Fears
  • Stress
  • Speech problems

Preschool and Kindergarten Experience

• Child's readiness for preschool or kindergarten is a parental concern.
• Some children are home-schooled, others attend preschool or daycare.
• Preschool provides opportunities for social and developmental growth, including social cooperation, adjusting to sociocultural differences, and managing emotions.
• Successful preschool experiences foster success, self-confidence, and competence.
• Essential factors to evaluate in preschool or daycare facilities for parents include the daily program, teacher qualifications, staff-to-student ratio, discipline policy, environmental safety, meal provision, sanitary conditions, adequate indoor and outdoor space per child, and fee schedule.
• Parental introduction of the child to the teacher and the facility, and providing detailed information about the child's home environment are crucial.
• Preparation for the transition to preschool or kindergarten is important for young children, recognizing that prolonged separation from parents can be involved.
• Positive activities and interactions should be anticipated and emphasized to make the experience pleasurable for the child.

Fears

• Preschoolers experience a wide range of fears.
• Prolonged or inappropriate TV viewing for preschoolers can increase fears and anxieties.
• Children may imitate violent behaviours seen on TV.
• Fears like sitting on toilet seats relating to TV shows are common for preschoolers.
• By 5-6 years of age, most fears diminish
• Active participation in dealing with fears using practical methods is beneficial.
• A nightlight in the bedroom, for example, can allay fears about monsters in the dark, and exposing the child to the feared object in a safe way can also help.
• Understanding of developmental sequences and the eventual gradual disappearance of fears can help parents feel more secure in handling their children's fears.
• Severe fears that disrupt family life may require professional help.

Stress

• Preschoolers experience unique stresses, including fears and the transition to school.
• The expression of frustration, fear, or anxiety can be exacerbated by poor communication/expressive language skills.
• Awareness of the signs and the source of stress is crucial for the parents.
• Prevention of stress is the most effective method to approach it.
• Structuring routines and preparing children for changes are beneficial.

Speech Problems

• Between ages 2 and 4, vocabulary grows faster than the ability to produce words; this can lead to speech problems.
• Sensorimotor integration difficulties can cause stuttering or stammering.
• Normal speech dysfluency is characteristic of language development in 2-5 year olds.
• Prevention and early detection are essential in treating speech problems.
• Referral for further evaluation and treatment may be necessary.
• Parents should discuss with the appropriate professionals the typical speech development milestones of their children.

Promoting Optimum Health During Preschool Years

• Key areas:
  • Nutrition
  • Sleep and rest
  • Dental health
  • Safety promotion and injury prevention

Nutrition

• Preschoolers eat slightly more than toddlers, approximately half of an adult's portion.
• Calorie requirements per unit of body weight continue to decrease.
• Fluid requirements slightly decrease to about 100 mL per kg daily.
• Protein requirements are 1.2 g/kg for an average daily consumption of 24 grams.
• A moderately low-fat diet is recommended.
• Milk and dairy products are excellent sources of calcium (500 mg) and vitamin D.
• Fruit juice intake should not exceed 6 ounces for children aged 1 to 6.

Sleep and Rest

• Average preschoolers sleep about 12 hours at night and infrequently take daytime naps.
• Waking during the night is common.
• A consistent bedtime, nap schedule, and routine can help prevent and treat sleep problems and night wakings.

Dental Health

• Oral trauma is common, requiring prompt dental evaluation.
• Maintaining good dental care is critical to preserve the temporary teeth and encourage good oral habits.
• While fine motor skills develop, preschoolers still need assistance and supervision with oral hygiene.
• Professional care and fluoride supplements are necessary to support dental health.

Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention

• Improved gross and fine motor skills, coordination, and balance make preschoolers less prone to falls than toddlers.
• They tend to listen more to parental rules and are more aware of potential dangers like hot objects, sharp instruments, and dangerous heights.
• Putting objects in their mouths (for exploration) is uncommon in this age range, however, accidental poisoning and playground injuries are still possible.
• Pedestrian injuries arise from activities like playing in parking lots, driveways, streets, riding bicycles, riding tricycles, and forgetting safety regulations when crossing the street.
• Education for safety and potential hazards, along with protective measures, is essential.
• Protective items like guardrails can be replaced with verbal explanations as the child's understanding develops.
• Encouraging safety habits, including bicycle helmets to prevent head trauma, should be encouraged.

5-2-1-0 Framework

• A framework suggesting:
  • 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily
  • 1 or more hours of physical activity daily
  • 2 or fewer hours of screen time daily
  • 0 sugary drinks, water is encouraged