Promoting A Health Environment For Children – Stimulating Activities Essay Example

To keep the children warm and dry, we provide waterproof clothing, hats, and gloves to prevent colds or illnesses. Careful planning of outdoor play activities is crucial to ensure that children get enough daily exercise.

Additionally, we have transformed our play equipment, such as the wooden bridge, into a pirate ship to create a pirate-themed role-playing area in our setting. This has made outdoor experiences safe and enjoyable for the children while also enhancing their physical and intellectual development. According to BBC News HEALTH, promoting early engagement in physical activity is essential for encouraging exercise among children.

The children's social factors were taken into consideration when they engaged in various activities, such as playing with different people, including both friends and new acquaintances. Throughout these activities, the children had the opportunity to work in groups and demonstrate teamwork by kicking a ball to each other. Additionally, they were able to learn about other cultures' approaches to nursery activities; for instance, some forest schools in different parts of the world spend their entire day outside, regardless of weather conditions. As an effective facilitator of this outdoor experience, I actively participated in outdoor activities like racing, football, and basketball, promoting the children's physical health. Despite each child having unique preferences for games, I did my best to join in with them. To ensure their well-being, I encouraged the children to wear coats and waterproofs, assisting them in putting on their clothing while also wearing my own waterproof jacket and gloves. By setting this example, the children will imitate the attitude and dress appropriately to protect their own health. Furthermore, when a child fell or got muddy, I provided comfort

and promptly brought them inside the setting to clean off the mud, prioritizing hygiene and further promoting their personal health.

I encouraged the children to participate freely in different activities, allowing them to socialize with friends or new groups of children. This would contribute to their social and intellectual well-being, as stated in EYFS practice card 3.3. A diverse and stimulating environment promotes learning and development for children, giving them confidence to explore secure and challenging indoor and outdoor spaces. Additionally, we focused on preparing nutritious meals by carefully selecting foods that enhance personal health. According to Beaver et al (2008:240), creatively planning menus and cooking activities with children can foster positive eating experiences and messages. To encourage trying a variety of fruits and vegetables and being more adventurous in food choices, we had the children cut up broccoli, carrots, and apples.

When selecting participants for the activity, I needed to carefully consider their age and ability to handle knives safely. I also wanted to avoid a group of friends who might be inclined to play around with sharp objects. As a result, I chose a mixed group of six children. Additionally, I had to determine the necessary resources, including dull knives and various cutting boards. To ensure the children's safety and prevent infection or contamination, I had to adhere to multiple hygiene protocols. This included using separate cutting boards for different types of food to avoid cross-contamination. I also had to remind the children about important health and safety policies, such as not putting knives or food in their mouths to prevent harm and the spread of infection.

This activity allowed the children to prepare a nutritious

meal that could be enjoyed at lunchtime. It also promoted their personal and physical health by encouraging them to eat healthy food and snacks. Throughout the activity, I followed established procedures set by my organization. For instance, I supervised the children's hygiene routines by ensuring they thoroughly washed their hands before and after the activity.

I adhered to various food procedures, such as using separate chopping boards and clean knives for different types of food. These procedures are mandated by government legislation, including The Childcare Act 2006, which emphasizes the importance of children's health and promoting healthy snacks. According to NHS Choices, "A healthy, balanced diet and plenty of physical activity will lead to a healthy weight for your child." Additionally, in order to ensure the safety of the children, they were not permitted in the kitchen due to potentially hazardous cooking equipment like the oven. I made sure that no child entered the kitchen throughout the activity.

To foster social interaction and friendship among the children, I selected participants from different friend groups. This allowed them to become better acquainted with each other and develop socially. It was clear that all of them had a fantastic time and enjoyed each other's company during the activity. Moreover, I offered a variety of foods for the children to prepare. This provided them with an opportunity to cut up three different foods that have distinct smells and textures. We also discussed how some children may have allergies or different preferences when it comes to food.

Children can learn about different types of foods and cultural differences in food consumption, such as the fact that Muslims do not eat red meat.

To encourage them to try new foods, I introduced fruits and vegetables from various countries and cultures. It is important to recognize that each child has unique preferences for fruit and vegetables. To ensure success in these activities, I emphasized hygiene and discussed the consequences of germs and infection with the children, helping them understand why personal hygiene is necessary for their health. Additionally, I regularly expressed my enjoyment of fruits and vegetables to create a positive attitude among the children towards them, hoping this would motivate them to imitate this positive attitude and develop a liking for these foods as well.

I also consistently stressed safety when handling sharp knives, reminding the children to be cautious under my supervision. For these activities, I intentionally chose a diverse group of children to encourage social development and foster closer relationships among classmates. Ultimately, by preparing and exposing the children to various fruits and vegetables, they can gain an understanding of the importance of a balanced diet for overall well-being.

Throughout this process, I adhered to kitchen policies and procedures to ensure efficiency. Measures such as using separate cutting boards were taken to prevent infection and cross-contamination.For the protection of children, I consistently ensured to keep them away from the kitchen as cooking devices can pose potential risks that may harm their well-being.

Engaging children in activities involving knives and ovens is essential for their development and well-being. This requirement is not only mandated by laws like The Children Act 2006 and The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989, but it also aligns with government initiatives such as Sure Start, which aims to meet the needs of

young children. It promotes a healthy routine that includes physical exercise and eating fruits and vegetables, meeting the recommended 5-a-day.

By being positive role models, we teach children crucial habits like thorough handwashing before and after handling food. This not only protects their dental health by preventing tooth decay but also improves their overall quality of life. According to BBC News HEALTH, overweight or obese children are at a higher risk of developing conditions like high blood pressure, increasing their chances of future coronary heart disease.

Allowing each child to choose their own food and play equipment empowers them to make informed decisions that enhance their quality of life. As a result, they are more likely to continue exercising regularly and choosing healthy snacks throughout their lives.

The implementation of Forest School sessions has significantly impacted planning in various settings. These sessions offer children an opportunity to practice teamwork, build social and emotional skills, engage in physical exercise, and enjoy outdoor play for their overall well-being.

The Forest Schools experience covers many areas of the National Curriculum, such as the EYFS statutory framework, without being curriculum led. Forest Schools believes that the forest environment is less stressful and allows for a more well-rounded development. The Reggio Emilia approach is an extension of the whole Language approach and uses various creative media as other languages to enhance children's creative, social, and cognitive development, according to Reggio Inspired.

Settings will now plan stimulating activities that enable children to learn through their own experiences. In my setting, children have the opportunity to learn using their senses. In one activity, I let them touch, smell, and even taste the food as a way to

explore and discover using their senses.