ERIC ED458031: Child Care Health Connections, 2001: A Health and Safety Newsletter for California Child Care Professionals.

75 Pages·2001·2.2 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
PS 029 880
ED 458 031
Walery, Nancy, Ed.; Evinger, Sara, Ed.; Dailey, Lyn, Ed.;
AUTHOR
Zamani, Rahman, Ed.; Guralnick, Eva, Ed.
Child Care Health Connections, 2001: A Health and Safety
TITLE
Newsletter for California Child Care Professionals.
California Child Care Health Program, Oakland.; San Diego
INSTITUTION
State Univ., CA. Graduate School of Public Health.
PUB DATE 2001-00-00
74p.; For 2000 newsletters, see ED 447 931. Published
NOTE
bimonthly.
San Diego State University, Child Care Health Connections,
AVAILABLE FROM
6505 Alvarado Road, Suite 108, San Diego, CA 92120 ($20
Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone]; Web site:
annually) .
http://www.childcarehealth.org; e-mail:
[email protected].
Collected Works
Serials (022)
PUB TYPE
Child Care Health Connections; v14 n1-6 Jan-Dec 2001
JOURNAL CIT
MF01/PC03 Plus Postage.
EDRS PRICE
Breastfeeding; *Child Caregivers; Child Development; *Child
DESCRIPTORS
Health; *Child Safety; Compensation (Remuneration);
Consultants; *Day Care; Early Childhood Education; Inclusive
Schools; Infant Care; Infants; Newsletters; Nutrition;
Obesity; Parent Caregiver Relationship; Sick Child Care;
Standards; Stress Variables; Toddlers; Transportation;
*Young Children
California; Day Care Quality
IDENTIFIERS
ABSTRACT
This document is comprised of the six 2001 issues of a
bimonthly newsletter providing information on young children's health and
safety for California's child care professionals. Regular features include a
column on infant/toddler concerns, a question-answer column regarding medical
and health issues, and resources for child care providers. Periodically
featured is information on behavioral and school-age care issues. The feature
"Including All Children in San
articles for each issue are as follows:
(1)
"Hooray for Health Consultants and Health
Diego" (Jan-Feb);
(2)
"CCHP [California Childcare Health Program]
Coordinators!" (Mar-Apr);
(3)
"Injuries in Child Care Centers:
Welcomes New Staff" (May-Jun);
(4)
"Talking with Parents about
Gender-Environment Interactions" (Jul-Aug);
(5)
"Caring for
Better Compensation for Child Care Staff" (Sep-Oct); and (6)
Ourselves" (Nov-Dec) .
(KB)
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the original document.
Child Care Health Connections, 2001:
A Health and Safety Newsletter for California
Child Care Professionals
Nancy Walery, Sara Evinger, Lyn Dailey,
Rahman Zamani, and Eva Guralnick, Editors
Volume 14, Numbers 1-6, January-December 2001
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Educational Research and Improvement
PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION
DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS
CENTER (ERIC)
BEEN GRANTED BY
U This document has been reproduced as
received from the person or organization
R. Zamani
originating it.
U Minor changes have been made to improve
reproduction quality
TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)
Points of view or opinions stated in this
document do not necessarily represent official
OERI position or policy.
2
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
Child Care Health
Connections.°
A health and safety newsletter for California child care professionals
Published by the California Child Care Health Program
Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University
Volume 14, No. 1
January-February 2001
Including all children in San Diego
FAMILIES who have children with special needs struggle to find and main-
tain appropriate high-quality child care. California:s Map to Inclusive Child
Care ("Map-) Project of the California Child Care Health Pmgram identi-
fied a number of barriers for both families and child care providers to include
children with disabilities and other special needs in child care. The Califor-
nia C'hildren and Families Commission (Prop 10) is currently funding an in-
depth study by the WestEd Center for Prevention and Early Intervention that
will develop a county-level analysis of barriers, services and supports. While
statewide efforts can effect some change in policy and practice, county or
local efforts are more directly affecting families and children. The California
Child Care Ikalth Program applauds San Diego's proactive efforts to
Hew CCHP Child
improve the lives of children with special needs and their families.
Passenger Safety
by Betty Z. Bassoff DSW
Project
The San Diego County Child Care Planning and Development Council
Safely on the Move is here to:
commissioned a study in May 2000 to determine to what extent children
Answer your questions about
with special needs are currently included in community-based child care
programs. The study used two approaches to get information: 1) a survey of
child passenger safety
centers and family child care homes, and 2) focus group meetings with parents
Discuss how to drive children
who have children with a variety of special needs. The findings are important in
around safely
promoting and supporting inclusion activities across the child care field.
Learn how you are driving
children around safely
(continued on page 9)
Talk about changes in the child
restraint law
Highlights of what's inside:
)/ffProvide information and
resources for child care
.
3
Child care health and safety performance standards
providers and families
..
Hidden infections in child care
4
. .....
), Link you with child passenger
California gets low marks for oral health
4
safety experts in your local
.
1
community
Don't skip a step with child passenger safety
....
. .,. 01
Caring for ourselves
10
=Safe*, oh the Move can be reached
Pullout section:
through the Health line at
5
Parent page: Allergies
[phone] or at the
administrative offices at
6
Is it sate to play outdoors in winter?
1)
[phone].
CMV in the child care setting
7
a-4
3
Ask the nurse
Child Care Health
.
. .
Connections
by Terry Holybee, RN
Janus Webruary 2001
I noticed that one of my 4-year-olds
Volume 14, No. 1
wen(for his booster shots and,
Child Care Health Connections
is a
instead of the OPV being checked
bimonih4i newsletter publtshed by the
on the yellow card, IPV was
Coltfornia Chad Care Health Program, a
checked. What is IPV?
nonprofit organization in the Graduate
School of Public Health at San Diego
State University The mrssion of the Child
Care Health Program is to provide current
What a great observation! Many
and emerging health and safery informa-
child care providers will be seeing
tion relevant to duke care providers and
IPV on the immunization records
to link the health, safety and child care
from now on. IPV is Inactivated Polio Vaccine. Until recently
communities.
OPV (Oral Polio Virus) was recommended for most children in
Child Care Health
SiX MtieS of
the United States. OPV has helped us rid the country of polio and
Connections
are published during the
is still used in many parts of the world.
year in odd-numbered months at the
subscmption rate of $20 per year
Both vaccines give immunity to polio, but OPV is better at keeping the disease
Newsletter articles may be reprinted
from spreading to other people. However, for a few people (about one in 2.4
without permission y' credit is given to the
million), OPV actually causes polio. Since the risk of getting polio in the U.S.
newsletter and a copy of the issue in which
is now extremely low, experts believe that using oral polio vaccine is no longer
the reprint appears is forwarded to the
worth the slight risk, except in limited circumstances. The inactivated polio
CalVornia Child Care Health Program at
the San Diego address below,
vaccine does not cause polio.
CCHP Program Offices:
IPV is a shot, given in the leg or arm depending on age. It may be given at the
same time as other vaccinesat 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months, and a
San Diego State University office:
6505 Alvarado Road, Suite 108
booster dose between 4 and 6 years of age.
San Diego,. CA 92120
Other vaccine news
Phone. [phone]
Fax [phone]
E-maik weatherl@maitsdsu edu
A new vaccine, pneumococcal conjugate, is licensed for infants and toddlers
and may be showing up on the yellow cards soon. It is good at preventing
Northern California office:
pneumococcal disease among young childien and also helps stop the disease
1322 Webster Street Suite 402
OaWanct CA 94612-3218
spreading from person to person. The vaccine is given along with the other
(510) 8394195
childhood vaccines at the ages of 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and between
Fax [phone]
12 and15 months.
E-mail, [email protected]
Pneumococcus is a bacteria which can cause pneumonia and sometimes
Healthline:
meningitis. It is responsible for about 200 deaths each year among children
[phone]
E-mait healthline@childcarehealthorg
under 5 years of age. In the United States, pneumococus is the leading cause of
bacterial meningitis, an infection of the covering of the brain. Each year
Program Director:
Marsha Sherman
pneumococcal disease causes over 700 cases of meningitis, 17,000 blood
mfections and about 5 million ear infections.
Newsletter Editors:
Nancy Watery
If you have any questions regarding these or other immunizations, contact the
Sara Evinger
Immunization Branch, California Dept. of Health Services at (510)
540-2065:
Lyn Dailey
or the Healthline at [phone]. +
Rahman Zarnani
Information provided in Child Care
Health Connections is intended to
supplement, not replace, medical
advice
Adapted from the Vaccine Information Sheets developed by the U.S.
Visit us on the Web:
Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, National Immunization Program.
www.chikkareheelth.org
Child Care Health Connections
January-February 2001
4
Child care health
Infant/toddler care
and safety
Diapering is not just routine
performance
by Cheryl Oku, Infant/Toddler Specialist
standards
hanging a baby's diaper is an opportu-
by Gail Gonzalez, RN'
nity for the child to learn and bond with
published in 1992, the National
protection of the
.
you, and a time to take important precautions for the
Health and Safety Performance
child's and your own health. Diapering can be a special time for the caregiver
Standards, Guidelines for Out-
and baby to have full attentirin in a one-on-one situation. It is an important
of-Home Child Care Programs, were
learning activity for the child, who is engaged and participating at his own
written to address the needs of children
level of ability. Caregivers who talk with and encourage the child's participa-
and families when they are, involved in
tion support feelings of competence and facilitate language development.
programs outside of their own homes.
The diapering area
The standards are published under the
name Caring For Our Children:
A well-planned diapering area is basic to healthy, safe and easy diapering.
The standards address all forms of out-
These are some important rules to remember:
of-home care for children: centers,
Use the area only for diapering.
after-school care, infant catd, family
Set up the diapering area as far as possible from any food handling area.
child care homes and recreation
programs. It does not matter whether
Provide running water for-handwashing immediately after diaper changes. .
the program is in a house, office park,
Construct a flat and safe diapering surface high enough to prevent stress on
a church or a recreation hall. Funding
your back.
is not a consideration, nor is licensing
Be sure the surface is clean, waterproof and free of cracks or crevices.
or supporting agencies. The standards
Cover the surface with a disposable cover, such as paper bags, used
were developed to prevent illness and
computer paper or rolls of paper.
injury in young children who are
expected to congregate in groups for
Keep all creams, lotions and cleaning items out of children's reach,-but
the purpose of play, work and sociali-
within yours.
zation. All child care programs
Add a guard rail at least three inches high for extra safety.
striving for quality will want to meet
Always keep a hand on the child.
the standards set forth in this docu-
ment, recognizing the unique atmos-
Never leave the child unattended, even for a second.
phere within a child care program.
Provide safe steps to allow older children to climb up on to the table.
I am reminded of the differences
Sanitation
between school arid child care. In
Most experts do not recommend the routine use of latex gloves for diaper7.
school, the children are expected to
ing (unless blood is present). If you do use gloves, be sure to follow
work at a desk or in a small group and
.
recommendations for using gloves effectively.
interact with a larger group primarily
when out of doors. The objective of the
Be sure to wash the child's hands and your own with soap under running
'day is to have children focus on a
water (infants, too).
learning task until individual
Clean and disinfect the diapering area and all equipment and supplies that
understanding is gained. In child care,'
were touched.
most of the day is spent on the floor or
The steps to hygienic diapering can be obtained by calling the Healthline.
iii play groups that are very intimate,
encouraging group experience and
Social and learning opportunities
cooperation. Even when the child care
Reniember these principles and make diapering a bonding time for you and the
program is housed within a school
child:
facility, the health and safety needs are
different than those of the classroom
that previously occupied that space.
(continued on page 11)
(continued on page 11)
January-February 2001
Child Cate Health Connections
3
5
California gets
low marks for
oral health
by Rahman Zamani, Program
Analyst
According to a national report
card by Oral Health America,
California gets a "C-minus".
The Fall 2000 report, released on
Hidden infections in child care
October 10, supports the earlier
findings of the Surgeon General's
by Lyn Dailey, MIN
report describing oral health in
America as a "silent epidemic" of oral
Viral and bacterial infections are an expected part of early childhood and
disease. A grade from A to F was
therefore an inevitable part of child care. Young children entering or
given to each state based on its level
changing child care will certainly experience episodes of illness. Colds,
of achievement in oral health. Despite
flu and diarrhea are by no means "hidden" infections. We see the obvious signs
great variation among the states, all
and symptoms, but what happens when infections aren't so obvious?
50 states and the District of Columbia
The Healthline recently consulted on a case in which a parent voluntarily told
a
scored poorly in the three broad
potential caregiver that his child had CMV (cytomegalovirus). The caregiver
categories of prevention, access to
refused to enroll the child for fear of exposing other children and staff to the
oral health care and oral health status.
infection. This example highlights one of the common misunderstandings about
the spread of communicable disease.
Based on data largely collected from
the Centers for Disease Control and
CMV is a very common infection that may or may not have mild, flu-like
Prevention, the National Institute of
symptoms. The virus is spread through contact with the urine, blood or saliva
Dental and Craniofacial Research,
of an infected person. The virus can be shed in these bodily fluids for months
and state dental directors, the report
or years after recovering from the illness. CMV is especially dangerous for
gives California a C-minus for
people with weakened immune systems or for the unborn babies of pregnant
prevention (with its lowest grade on
women who become infected for the first time during their pregnancy.
fluoridation of the public water
supply, and only 14-38 percent use of
Parents are not required to tell caregivers if their child has this type of
sealants for preventing cavities
infection.
especially in young people); C-minus
People can be infected with CMV and not know it. There may not be any
for access to dental care; and B-minus
signs or symptoms of infection.
for health status.
Most adults have been infected with CMV at some time in their life. Most
This report card points to the critical
children will have contracted CMV by the time they start school. Assume
importance of improving oral health
all children are shedding this virus.
and concludes that "oral health is the
gateway to overall health" and
In this case, a caregiver was afraid to enroll a child because she knew of his
"failure to [improve it] will result in
CMV infection. What about the other children already enrolled? There are
serious, long-term health conse-
likely to be many children in the program who are, were, or will be shedding
quences to our nation, especially our
the virus at some time. There may also be other hidden infections (such
as
children."
hepatitis A and B, or HIV) the parents and caregiver are not aware of. To
provide the highest possible level of protection to staff, parents and children,
Tooth decay is the single most com-
practice universal precautions at all times. The proper use of gloves when
mon chronic childhood diseasefive
handling bodily fluids containing blood, frequent handwashing and up-to-date
times more common than asthma and
immunizations (for hepatitis A and B; there is no vaccine for CMV or HIV) are
seven times more than hay fever.
part of universal precautions. Caregivers who are pregnant or might become
Thirty to 40 percent of 3-year-old
pregnant should speak with their medical provider about their occupational
children have at least one cavity.
risks. +
(continued on page 10)
Child Care Health Connections
Januaty-Februaty 2001
4
6
Purenq LDgs
Allergies
by Terry Holybee, RN
Symptoms can
What is your child allergic to?
hildren
include a tingling
with
What symptoms does your child
sensation in the
aller-
typically have?
mouth, swelling
gies can pose
What is the treatment of choice for
of the throat and
o
challenges for
your child?
tongue, difficulty
parents and
breathing, hives,
child care
How will the child care provider
o
vomiting, ab-
providers alike.
contact you in an emergency?
dominal cramps,
Allergies are
What are the side effects of the
o
diarrhea and a
the most
treatment of choice? .
1414. drop in blood
frequent
What are possible adverse/nega-
o
pressure. Symp-
chronic disease
tive effects of the.treatment of
toms typicallyoccur within minutes to
found in child care. Identifying the
choice?
two hours after the person has eaten
substance that makes your child
the food to which he is allergic. A
sneeze, wheeze or itch can be difficult
Practice with a demonstration Epi-
o
serious, often life-threatening allergic
and trying. Many parents have
Pen Jr. that does not contain
reaction characterized by low blood
learned to keep food and environmen-
medication.
pressure, shock and difficulty breath-
tal diaries to help pinpoint the allergen
If an injection of epinephrine is
o
ing is called an anaphylactic reaction.
(substance that causes allergy) for
neeessary, the child care provider
their children.
While avoidance is the most impor-
should call 911 to have your child
The Food Allergy Network reports tant aspect in the management of life-
transported to the hospital. Under
threatening allergies, medical treat-
that between 2 to 2V2 percent of the
no Circumstances should the child
ment needs to be immediate. The
general population suffers from food
care provider attempt to drive
allergies. That means 6-7 million
treatment of choice is epinephrine,
your child to the shospital.
Americans suffer some type of administered by injection. Other
Developing a plan of action with your
reaction to the foods they eat. Eight medications such as antihistamines,
child care provider can be a critical
foods account for the majority of
asthma medications or steroids may
factor in saving your child's life. Ask
be given, but only as a second line of
these allergic reactions: peanuts, tree
for your provider's cooperation and
defense. Consult with your health care
nuts (walnuts, pecans, etc.), fish,
support in reducing oi- eliminating
provider about a prescription for an
shellfish, eggs, milk, soy and wheat.
potential allergens from the child care',
epinephrine administration kit (usu-
Peanuts are the leading cause of
home or center. With specific allergies
ally Epi-Pen Jr for children). These
severe allergic reactions, followed by
such as peanut allergies, total
shellfish, fish, tree nuts and eggs. kits deliver a pre-mixed epinephrine
elimination of peanuts and peanut
solution through a shot that anyone
Other allergens include insects (bees,
products is recommended. Call the
can administer. The use of Epi-Pen is
wasps), pollens (from plants) and
Healthline for suggestions of healthy
animals (cats, horses, dogs, etc.).
considered life-saving first aid and not
and appetizing substitute foods.
prohibited in child care. Kits should
During an allergic reaction, the
Ensure that the provider is trained in
be taken to your child care program
immune system releases large
recognizing the signs of an impending
where the child may be exposed to
amounts of chemicals such as hista-
anaphylactic attack and knows how to
allergens. Check the expiration date
mines to protect the body from the
care for your child after administering
periodically on each kit to make sure
offending allergic substance. These
epinephrine. By working together,
the contents have not expired.
chemicals trigger a chain of allergic
your child's experience in child care
Your child care provider should
symptoms that can affect the respira-
can be a safe and healthy one. +
tory system, gastrointestinal tract
receive training from you or your
Source: The Food Allergy Network.
health care provider about your
(involving the stomach or intestines),
[phone] or
skin or cardiovascular system (involv- child's specific allergies. The training
www.foodallergy.org
ing the heart and blood vessels).
should include the following:
Child Care Health Connections o January-February 2001
7
HEALTH & SAFETY NOTES
California Child Care Health Program
IS IT SAFE TO PLAY OUTDOORS IN WINTER?
> Fresh air is healthy. Studies have shown that
The following measures will improve the indoor air
contrary to the common belief that "exposure to
quality in your child care setting:
cold air causes a cold," fresh air is good and
Keep the air temperature between 65° and 75°
healthy. When children and adults spend a long
Fahrenheit, if possible.
time together in indoor spaces that are small,
overheated and poorly ventilated, germs and
Open the windows in every room for a few minutes
illnesses pass easily from one person to another. In
every day to circulate fresh air, even in winter.
fresh, outdoor air, children do not have to rebreathe
Windows must be screened to prevent insects from
the germs of the group, and the chance for spread-
entering, and should be opened no more than 6
ing infection is reduced.
inches (or be protected with guards) to prevent
children from falling out.
> Outdoor play is healthy even in winter. Children
of all ages enjoy and benefit from playing outdoors
Do not allow smoking in any space that children
in all except the most extreme weather. Daily
will use.
outdoor play is healthy and bums energy. It gives
children an opportunity for a change of environ-
Properly vent heating and cooking .equipment.
ment, a balance in play and routine, activities of
Avoid strong odors. Some people (including
large muscles (gross-motor development). Even
children) are allergic to smoke, perfumes, and
children who are mildly ill but active should go
room deodorants.
;
outside if the weather is not severe. Staff and
children alike will feel refreshed when fresh air is
Reduce the use of toxic pesticides and cleaners and
part of the daily routine. Taking children outdoors
other household chemicals.
daily, even in winter, canbe a healthy part of their
Control dampness and dust.
schedule, and is safe when clothing is appropriate.
> Avoid cold-related injuries. The way we feel
Colds, sore throats and other infections of the
about cold, wet, or snowy weather and indoor
respiratory system are common in cold weather
temperatures may be affected by where we live and
and are usually caused by viruses. Child care
what we are used to. Temperatures above 40 and
providers have the potential to improve the health
below 80 degrees Fahrenheit are generally suitable
of children in their care by opening up windows to
for routine outdoor play.
improve ventilation, and having children play for
extended periods outdoors in the fresh air. They
> Improve indoor air quality. Germs causing
can provide instruction and programs that promote
disease multiply in warm, dark, damp environ-
enjoyable, lifelong physical activity.
ments, so it is important to keep the environment
clean and dry.
Remember
Handwashing is the single most effective
Adequate ventilation, humidity, and temperature
way to reduce the spread of infection in a
control help us resist illness and increase our
child care setting.
ability to get well after sickness.
Resources: Keeping Kids Healthy: Preventing and Manag'ng Communicable Disease in Child Care,
California Department of Education, 1994; Healthy Young Children: a Manual for Programs, NAEYC, 1995;
The Lancet, Volume 349, Number 9062, May 10, 1997; Well Beings, the Canadian Paediatric Society,
Volume 1, 1992.
By Rahman Zamani, MPH (8/25/98)
Child
Care Health Connections
January-February 2001
HEALTH (4( SAFETY NOTES
California Child Care Health Program
CYTOMEGALOVIRUS (CMV) IN THE CHILD CARE SETTING
other birth defects.
> What Is It? CMV is a very common infection
caused by a virus with which most people eventually
> Female child care providers who expect to become
become infected. Children and staff in the child care
pregnant should:
setting are especially likely to be infected.
Be tested for antibodies to CMV. If the test
> What Are the Symptoms? Children usually have no
shows no evidence of previous CMV infection,
symptoms when they become infected with CMV.
reduce contact with infected children by working,
Occasionally, older children in child care will
at least temporarily, with children age 2 years or
develop an illness with a fever, sore throat, swollen
older, where there is far less virus circulation.
glands (lymph nodes) in the neck, enlarged liver,
Wash hands with water and soap after each
rash, and being tired. However these symptoms are
diaper change and contact with children's saliva.
very rare, especially in young children in child care.
Avoid contact with children's saliva by not
kissing children on the lips and ask them not to
CMV can be dangerous for people with immune
place hands, fingers, toys and other saliva-
problems, and pregnant women who can spread
contaminated (soiled) objects in their mouth.
the illness to their unborn babies.
Remember
> How Is It Spread? CMV is spread from person to
Contact with children which does not involve
person by direct contact with bodily (body) fluids
exposure to saliva or urine poses no.risk-tmal
such as blood, urine, or saliva. Thus it may be
mother or child care provider and should not
spread through close contact such as in diaper
be avoided out of fear of potential infection
changing, kissing, feeding, bathing, and other
with CMV
activities where a healthy person comes in contact
with the urine or saliva of an infected person. CMV
> How Can You Limit the Spread?
can also be passed from a mother to the child before
Follow Universal Precautions for the child care
birth, at birth and after birth (through breastfeeding).
setting (see Health & Safety Note: "Universal
> When Is It Contagious? Some people infected with
Precautions in the Child Care Setting").
CMV are contagious for a very short time; others
Clean and disinfect all mouthed toys and fre-
can spread the virus for months to years.
quently used surfaces on a daily basis.
> Should the Child Stay Home? There is no reason to
Don't kiss children on the mouth.
exclude the child from child care because the pro-
Do not share food, pacifiers, bottles, tooth-
gram probably has other children who have CMV.
brushes, eating utensils or drinking cups.
> Is It a Problem for Pregnant Women? If infected
for the first time during pregnancy, women are at a
Female staff who are pregnant or thinking
small risk of delivering an infant with CMV disease,
about getting pregnant should discuss the
which can cause hearing loss, mental retardation and
issue with their health care provider.
Resources: Red Book 2000: Report of the Committee on Infectious Disease, American Academy of Pediatrics,
2000; The ABCs of Safe and Healthy Child Care: A Handbook for Child Care Providers, Centers for Diseases
Control and Prevention (CDC), 1997; Healthy Young Children: a Manual for Programs, NAEYC, 1995 Edition;
Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards, Guidelines for Out-Of-Home Child
Care Programs, Washington DC, AAP & APHA, 1992.
By Rahman Zamani, MPH (11/14/00)
January-February 2001
Child Care Health Connections
7
9
Boureg zhEl-so
aqsp Rirrall1)
assengsv safety
by Sara B. Woo, MPH, Project Coordinator Safely on the Move
uckle up and celebrate National Child Passenger Safety week from
Feb. 11-17,-2001. National Child Passenger Safety week, along
with other cainpaigns such as Buckle Up America and Boost America,
emphasize the importance of properly buckling up children. Traffic crashes
remain a leading cause of injury and death to young.children. Ensure that
children in your care are riding the safest possible way, whether riding to and
from child care or on field trips.
UNIQUE NEEDS OF
As children progress through different stages of growth and development, their
BIRACIAL/BIETHNIC
child restraint needs change. Infants ride rear-facing in an infant or convertible
seat as long as possible but at least until they weigh 20 pounds and are 1 year
CHILDREN
of age. For toddlers and preschoolers, use a child restraint with a harness until
.the child outgrows it: The preschool or school-age child graduates to a belt-
* Processing more than one ethnic
positioning booster to raise them up and improve the fit of the vehicle shoulder
and racial identity
and lap belt. A shield booster, which has a bolster in front of the child and no
O Biases and assumptions from peers
back, is not certified for children over 40 pounds and not recommended for
and community
children under 40 pounds.
* Possible lack of support from
As of Jan. 1, 2002, California law will require children to ride in a child safety
family and community
seat until they are at least 6 years old or weigh 60 pounds. Children prema-
turely riding in a seat belt can suffer life-threatening injuries, including injury
* May not be prepared for racism, or
to the spinal cord, the brain or the internal organs of the abdomen. Most
how the wider society views them
children need to use a belt-positioning booster seat until they are at least 8
compared to how they view
years old, depending on the child's height and how .the vehicle lap and shoulder
themselves
belts fit. Safety belts don't fit children properly until they can sit with their
backs straight against the vehicle seat back cushion and their knees bent over
O Feeling pressure to choose one
the seat edge for the entire trip. The lap belt should fit low and snugly across
identity
the child's upper thighs and the shoulder belt should cross the shoulder, not the
Ability to travel in more than one
throat or face, and be close to the child's chest.
culture
See the March/April newsletter for suggestions on developing a safe transpor-
* Change identity depending on
tation policy or contact Sara Woo through the Healthline at [phone] or
directly at [phone].
developmental stage
Sources: The Danger of Premature Graduation to Seat Belts for Young
If the child is adopted, and neither
Children, by FK Winston, DR Durbin, MJ Kellen, EK Moll. Pediatrics V.105(6):
parent is the child's race or
1179-1183; June, 2000.
ethnicity, then consider all of the
above in addition to typical issues
regarding adoption.
Source: Serving Children from
Biracial/Bi-ethnic Families: A
k 0
Supplementary Diversity Training
Curriculum for Child Care Providers.
Child Care Health Connections 0 January-February 2001
8