Overarching Principles These principles should be kept in mind at all times when thinking about preschool curriculum and working with young children.

1.  All children are capable of learning

2.  Children show individual differences in development

3.  Knowledge of child growth and development is essential for program development and implementation

4.  Children’s language skills are the best indicators of academic success

5.  Developmental domains are highly interrelated

6.  Young children learn by doing

7.  Families are the primary caregivers and educators of their young children

Overview of the Health Education Preschool Learning Experiences

  Physical Development

  Social and Emotional Health

  Safety and Health Care

Review the Overview of Health Education document before continuing this module.

Physical Development 1 1. Listen to and use appropriate

language describing the names and functions of parts of the human body.

Books about Body Functions

Parts and More Parts by Tedd Arnold

Me and My Amazing Body by Joan Sweeney

The Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body by Joanna Cole

Physical Development 2 2. Build body awareness, strength, and

coordination through locomotion activities.

Gross Motor Activities

Gross Motor Activities

  Hopping on one or two legs

  Skipping

  Running

  Swinging

  Riding a scooter or tricycle

  Animal Movement Imitations   Frog   Rabbit   Kangaroo   elephant

Image courtesy of Bob Grahame (http://www.flickr.com/photos/83712832@N00/1362303899/) (2007) Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Physical Development 3 3. Discuss various aids and

accommodations used by people for the activities of daily life.

Age Appropriate Books about Children with Disabilities

Image courtesy of flickr by y.accesslab http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5204/5295173306_90944a88c7_z.jpg (2009) (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Image courtesy of flickr by hm.matheus http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1126/4609827016_1bb49bf82c_z.jpg (2009) (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Image courtesy of flickr by Clint Gardner http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/395945986_b9933cc3f4_z.jpg?zz=1 (2009) (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Physical Development 4 4. Build awareness of

directionally and position in space.

Songs and Games for Spatial Awareness

  Hokey Pokey

  Simon Says

  Follow the Leader

  Jigsaw Puzzles

Image courtesy of wickedlocal.com http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT40lPjSKeLy5aq9FuLS5FQe8tb_jLGKSX1NyhcuMtCC784oXM&t=1 (2007) CC BY-NC-ND 3.0

Physical Development 5 5. Use both sides of the

body to strengthen bilateral coordination.

Bilateral Activities

  Pushing a wheelbarrow

  Jumping with two feet over a rope or jump-roping

  Lifting things with both arms

  Pushing a block on the ground with both feet

  Sack Races Image courtesy of flickr by mollyjolly http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/2629982264_a338d7a355_z.jpg?zz=1 (2010) CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Physical Development 6 6. Alternate the left and

right sides of the body and cross the midline of the body.

Single Side Activities

  Hopping on one foot

  Turning a jump-rope with one hand

  Carrying an object with one hand

  Hand over hand progress on climbing bars

  Moving a large bubble wand with one arm

Image courtesy of flickr by SewPixie http://farm1.static.flickr.com/248/3263517809_0f1625dc1e_z.jpg?zz=1 (2010) CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Physical Development 7 7. Build upper body strength

and stability to gain controlled movement of shoulders.

Water-Funnel Video

Shoulder Strengthening Activities

  Crab walk

  Propelling self on a scooter with the arms

  Hanging from two arms on the monkey bars

  Pushing a wheelbarrow or cart

  Pouring objects in a sand or water table

Physical Development 8 8. Strengthen hand grasp and

flexibility.

Activities

  Playing with Playdoh with tools

  Using clothespins

  Squeezing squirt bottles or a turkey baster in the water table

  Using a hand-size hole-punch

Image courtesy of flickr by mirsasha http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2093/1720514272_f4dcb91467_z.jpg (2010) CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Physical Development 9 9. Use thumb/forefinger in pincer

grip.

Activities

  Pegboard

  Moving small objects between containers

  Making pictures with stickers

  Playing with Legos

  Using tweezers

Image courtesy of Luigi Chelsea (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chiodini_wiki.jpg) (2007) Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Unpotted 3.0

Physical Development 10 10. Use a variety of tools

and materials to build grasp-and-release skill.

Scissors Video

Image courtesy of Tracy Lee (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tracyleephoto/3635018827/) (2009) Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Physical Development 11 11. Build finger dexterity.

Activities

  Flipping coins

  Putting pegs in LiteBrite©

  Finger plays

  Dressing dolls with zippers, snaps, and buttons Image courtesy of flickr by Rob Hayes.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4849581042_d366eba126_z.jpg (2010) CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Physical Development 12 12. Use eye-hand

coordination, visual perception and tracking, and visual motor skills in play activities.

Sewing Cards Video

Physical Development 13 13. Discuss

nutritious meals and snacks and the difference between junk food and healthy food.

Image courtesy of Steve Garfield (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevegarfield/2504561841/) (2008) Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Physical Development 14 14. Practice personal

hygiene and safety measures.

Washing Hands Video

  Clean eating surfaces

  Wash hands

  Do not share utensils or cups

  Cough into a tissue or your elbow

  Use cutting tools safely

Physical Development 15 15. Discuss gender and growth in age-appropriate ways.

Topics • Baby Animals • Babies • Growth • Differences between boys and girls • Differences between boys/men and girls/women • Constancy of gender Image courtesy of Shavar Cross

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/shavar/27886472/) (2005) Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Image courtesy of Muhammad Mahdi Karim (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kid_girl.jpg) (2008) Creative Commons Attribution/ShareAlike 2.5)

Social and Emotional Health 16

16. Recognize and describe or represent emotions such as happiness, surprise, anger, fear, sadness.

Books to Teach Feelings

  Making Faces  by Nick Butterworth 

  Mama Cat Has Three Kittens  by Denise Fleming 

  Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day  by Judith Viorst and illustrated by Ray Cruz 

  Ask Mr. Bear  by Marjorie Flack

  *Everybody Has Feelings by  Charles E. Avery

Image courtesy of Jane Costa Lima (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jane_costa_lima/2217777720/) (2007) Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Social and Emotional Health 17

17. Talk about ways to solve or prevent problems and discuss situations that illustrate that actions have consequences.

Books for Teaching Conflict Resolution

  Subway Sparrow by Leyla Torres

  Mama, Do You Love Me? by Barbara Joosse

  The Hating Book by Charlotte Zolotow

  George and Martha: One Fine Day / George and Martha: Tons of Fun by James Marshall

  Zinnia and Dot by Lisa Campbell Ernst

  The Adventures of Connie and Diego by Maria Garcia Swimmy by Leo Lionni

Image courtesy of Darrell J. Rohl (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sokabs/2668156039/) (2007) Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Social and Emotional Health 18

18. Talk about how people can be helpful/hurtful to one another.

Conflict Resolution Video

Techniques to Help Children with Hurtful Situations

Role Playing

Talking to Puppets or Stuffed Toys

Talking about situations that have happened

Reading Stories about hurtful situations

Social and Emotional Health 19

19. Practice independence and self-help skills.

Self-Help Skills Video

Self-Help Skills in Preschool

Serving themselves food from serving dishes

Eating independently

Dressing themselves

Using the toilet

Asking for help

Washing their hands

Daily school tasks-Writing, cutting, choosing toys

Social and Emotional Health 20

20. Describe members of their family and discuss what parents do for their children to keep them safe and healthy.

Families Books for Preschool

Safety and Health Care 21

21. Discuss strategies to prevent injury and illness, control the spread of disease, and promote cleanliness.

Image courtesy of Alan Levine (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/3193507634/0 (2009) Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Safety and Health Care 22 22. Talk about the common

symptoms of illness and injury and what they should do when they hurt or don't feel well.

Image courtesy of Bob Reck (http://www.flickr.com/photos/u2sockmonkey/143978332/sizes/o/in/photostream/) (2006) Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Safety and Health Care 23 23. Discuss tooth care and

dental health including brushing, flossing, and healthy foods.

Brushing Teeth Video

Image courtesy of Jill Watson (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jillwatson/4214426551/) (2009) Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Safety and Health Care 24 24. Discuss rules for safety

in a variety of settings including fire safety, weapons safety, bus safety, seat belt use, playground safety, as well as safety at home and in the community.

Safety and Health Care 25 25. Talk and listen to stories

about safe, unsafe, and inappropriate touch and ways to protect themselves.

Remind children hands are for helping.

The goal is to make them feel safe and know what to do if something bad happens.

Resources

  http://barcc.org/information/educators/ece

  http://training-center.neari.com/training-center/   Understanding Children's

Sexual Behaviors-From Natural and Healthy to Disturbed by Toni Cavanagh Johnson, Ph.D.

Safety and Health Care 26 26. Talk about what to do

when someone gets hurt and the rules for universal precautions (do not touch body fluids; wash hands after touching body fluids).

Image courtesy of flickr by ReSurge International http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2282/1555390904_cbacaeffef_z.jpg (2010) CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Safety and Health Care 27 27. Identify and distinguish

between substances that are safe to be taken by mouth.

Safe to Eat Not Safe

Food Rocks

Drinks Dirt

Cough drops Toys

Gum Playdoh

Image courtesy of U.S. Army (http://usarmy.vo.llnwd.net/e1/-images/2009/03/03/31654/army.mil-31654-2009-03-03-140303.jpg” (2009)

Safety and Health Care 28 28. Describe the purpose of

medicines and how they can be used or misused, and what to do in an emergency.

Image courtesy of oblivion9999 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/oblivion/2293051496/) (2008) Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Safety and Health Care 29 29. Talk about some basic

ways they can keep their environment clean or take care of it.

Things to Do at School and in the Community

  Pick up trash

  Recycle

  Plant a tree

  Use fewer disposable items

Image courtesy of Colleen Lane (http://www.flickr.com/photos/colleen-lane/4399378949/sizes/o/in/photostream/) (2009) Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Next Steps   Read the articles included below that support why these

standards are being taught and the best ways to teach them.  

  Look over the Health Education scope and sequence checklist and inventory for meeting Health Education standards and keeping track of how you meet them. This is also a tool that can be used to plan progress monitoring for students. Remember you can work on multiple standards simultaneously.

  Complete the Health Education module quiz.

  Complete and turn in your Health Education module assignment via Blackboard.

Congratulations!! You have completed the Health Education Module.