Course info

This course examines issues related to nutrition, health, and safety for children from toddlerhood through the school-age years. This class looks at the role of nutrition in child development, and how it relates to teaching strategies. In this course, we begin by understanding various aspects of nutrition, and the importance of good nutrition to proper learning and development. We also consider various strategies for teaching nutrition to young children. Next, the role of menu planning in nutrition education is discussed, as well as food safety concerns that are important for all teachers and school employees to understand.  The course goes on to look at the role of general wellness in child development, considering health assessments in school and looking at various physical, emotional, and mental disorders that children can exhibit. Attention is paid to understanding the special needs of children with various food requirements or other disorders, as well as the importance of maintaining a safe physical environment for children at all times. Finally, the course concludes by discussing abuse and neglect in childhood, looking at ways that teachers can help to identify and report such issues.