Birth to Three Matters
Additional Information

By Ann Roberts & Val Sabin (2006)

A HEALTHY CHILD

This manual focuses on the aspect of “A Healthy Child” (Birth to three matters - Surestart). The components which make up a healthy Child are:

• Growing and Developing
• Keeping Safe
• Healthy Choices
• Emotional Well-being

Being Healthy means much more than having healthy snacks, free of illness and going outside for at least half an hour each day! Very young infants - (babies and toddlers) need to feel special, loved and cared for. This underpins everything and is vital. Emotional well being will include any close, warm, responsive relationships, and the ability to express feelings and to be able to deal with new situations that could present stress or challenge. So this is a key card in the set of four aspects in “A Healthy Child” it will also underpin the other three component sets of cards.

Alongside their well being is a child’s physical needs. Growing and developing is fundamental. Babies and toddlers need their basic need for nourishment to be met. If they feel tired, hungry or uncomfortable they will not feel energised, interested or ready to explore their world. Healthy choices enable them to make decisions and become independent whether it is what food they want, when to go to the toilet, or which friend they want to play with or what activity they will try out. Being Safe is important and having the support of an adult to ensure or support babies and young children where there is an element of safety risks. Adults should make a realistic assessment to ensure a safe environment whilst encouraging challenge, natural exploration and investigation.

This manual works through the components and seamlessly makes the connections for the practitioner to the Birth to three matters aspect -“A Healthy Child” card.

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