At
Roblealto, we are a team of highly qualified and committed childcare
workers.
We now share with you one of our
monthly educational topic, written by one of our professionals.
Self-care:
a means to obtain a healthy lifestyle.
By Suzanne Emery, Nurse
The
lifestyle of every person influences their general health condition.
Education about self-care is a
fundamental topic at the Roblealto Child Care Association. Through
it, the health personnel helps the children and their families to adopt
and keep healthy behaviors. Direct or indirectly, they
share information that promotes and protects health, as well as preventing illness.
These efforts together contribute
to people adopting more healthy lifestyles.
With children, it is important
to determinate their general health condition, by identifying some
key categories:
- Well child Exams
- Immunizations
- Height and weight
- Laboratory analysis
- Blood pressure with
children 3 years and older
- Vision
and hearing screening
- Dental Health
- Developmental screening
When families understand that
health is not only curing illness, but learning how to take care
of themselves and live to the full potential physically, socially,
emotionally and spiritually, they learn what it means to live life
abundantly, as Jesus Christ says.
Well Child Exams
Well Child Exams are important because
they give the medical expert a bases to analyze the growth and development
of the children, as well as perform appropriate tests and keep upon immunizations.
This appointment allows parents the opportunity to ask questions: parents should
be encouraged to bring a list with their questions and concerns.
Experts recommend these well child exams at: 2,4,6,9,12,15 and 18 months old
and at 2,3,4,5,6,8,10,12,14,16 and 18 years of age.
Immunizations
Children need immunizations. They help
to protect them against many illnesses. Every country has a different
immunization schedule. immunization must be applied at the recommended
ages, even if the child is sick or has the flu. The recommended
schedule for immunizations changes periodically. If you would like
the most recent recommendations, you can check at http://www.ecbt.org/immsche.htm
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure in children must be checked
starting at 3 years of age. High blood pressure requires medical attention.
It can be the symptom of silent but serious illness that requires
special attention.
Vision
and Hearing Screening
It is important to perform vision testing
before children enter kindergarten approximately at 4-5 years of age. Depending
on the initial results, children required continued vision screening
at periodic intervals.
Experts also recommend that hearing screening start at 4-5 years of age.
Laboratory Analysis
Children may need periodic lab analysis
in order to detect and to prevent health problems. The following analysis
are the most common:
- Complete Blood Count -
Children may need an exam to detect the presence of anemia at around
1 year of age. Children may need tests in periodic intervals as they
grow up. Some children have more probability of suffering from anemia than others.
- Cholesterol analysis: Children
(2 years and older) may need this analysis, specially if one of
the parents has high levels of cholesterol, or if a parent or grandparent
has suffered from heart problems before turning 55. If
there are no family medical records, children may need this test
if they are over weight or have high blood pressure.
Development
Screening
Children grow and develop at different
rates. The following list shows the ages that most small children can
perform certain activities. It is normal for a child to start doing some
of these things before or after the indicated age. However, if children don't
do must of the activities indicated for their age, or if you have questions
about their development, you should consult a health professional.
- 2 Months - Smiles, makes noises. Looks
at people,
follows with eyes.
- 4 Months - Makes noise when
laughing. Lifts head and torso
when on stomach, grabs things .
- 6 Months - Follows with eyes
when hears sound. Turns over, holds head up when sitting,
babbles .
- 9 Months - Responds when called
by name, plays hide and seek. Sits
by him/herself, crawls, stands up holding on to something .
- 1 Year - Says
good bye with the hand, says mom and dad. Walks holding on to things, grabs
objects with the thumb and forefinger.
- 18 Months - Says three words
besides mom and dad, scribbles on paper. Walks
by himself, eats using a spoon.
- 2 Years - Connects two words,
refers to him/herself by his/her name. Runs, climbs
the stairs by him/herself .
- 3 Years - Knows his/her age,
helps to button his/her clothing. Washes and dries
his/her hands. Throws a ball. Rides a tricycle.
- 4 Years - Knows his/her first
and last name. Tells stories, counts up to 4 objects. Stands
on one foot, uses the scissors correctly.
- 5 Years - Names four colors,
counts up to 10. Jumps
on one foot, gets dressed by himself.
The
self-care is important in any stage of life. It is important to teach
children how to care for themselves. Self care can contribute to illnesses
being detected early, avoiding severe complications and diminishing risk
factors. The result: An abundant and full life as our Savior Jesus Christ
wants for every human being.
For more information
about our programs or if you would like to become one of our sponsors,
please write to us at: sponsors@roblealto.org
