Health Status and Practices - Health and Physical Development: Ages 3-5

Widely Held Expectations

• Child develops an awareness of health, nutrition and safety
  
  • Shows growing independence in hygiene, nutrition, and personal care when eating, dressing, washing hands, brushing teeth, and toileting
  • Develops knowledge and skills about what to do in case of fire, storm, injury or other emergencies
  • Identifies potentially harmful objects, substances or behaviors, knows to leave them alone and tell an adult
• Child develops an understanding of the need for regular physical exercise and activity

Learning in Action: Examples

The Child

• Participates actively in games, outdoor play, and other forms of exercise that enhance physical wellness
• Follows program safety rules
• Recognizes common signs of danger/warning
• Uses good hand washing skills (after toileting, eating, wiping nose, handling animals, etc.)

The Adult

• Provides health education for children and families
• Provides time for exercise and physical activity
• Provides instruction for basic health and safety rules
• Models health and safety practices during regular activities including meals and snacks
• Provides opportunities to practice necessary emergency drills (fire, tornado, emergency, etc.)

The Environment Includes

• Procedures and signs for emergency evacuation (fire, tornado, etc.)
• Written health and safety policies
• Child size sinks, soap that is readily available, hand washing signs, footstools if needed, paper towels, etc.