I observed and interacted with was the families and children
in my child care setting during this module. While talking to them about how
important it is to help maintain their child’s weight, the more the families
got involved on telling me their opinion on childhood obesity. Some families
stated that it’s up to the parents to start keep their child healthy. If the
parents are consistently buying unhealthy snacks and food, then that child might
grow up and eat unhealthy food because that’s all they ate when they were children.
This parent made an interesting point and sometime parents does not see that. I
also was interacting with the babies, when I tried to pick up a baby boy, he
had to have weighted close to 30 pounds, and he was one years old. I looked
over to his mom, who had on workout clothes, and I respectfully asked her, what
types of food he is eating at home, she said that, he eats French fries, ice cream,
and anything I give him. I knew she was getting upset, and I told her that I’m
conducting an advocacy plan to help children who are slightly to overweight. I
asked her if she would help her child more by laying off the sweets, and focus
more on fruits and vegetables. She asked me what type of program a baby could
be in. I told her that there are many parks or she can just continue to walk
with him everywhere she goes, this way; she’ll be able to maintain his weight and
her weight. The insight I have gained
about children and their families is, the more you talk to them about be
healthy, the more they want to become involved. Although some families don’t’
want to get involved in anything because, they think their child is perfect the
way they is, but in realty the parents are hurting the child health. The first
insight I gained from my observation of, and interaction and experience with,
children families regarding advocacy efforts and needs related to my area of
interest within the field of early childhood is, parents are willing to help
maintain their child’s weight. They want to see their child happy and active,
and some parents are putting their child in gymnastics and swim team. Another
insight I have gained was that, although parents get upset when talking about
their child, but sometimes it’s good to hear those words come out another
person’s mouth. When I was talking to the one year old mother, she was upset, but
she also realized that all sweet, it’s good sweets.
Hello Tammie, I work with infants and toddlers their are those that are overweight and those that are not. I have one little boy in my class he is overweight, on breathing treatments and never attempts to crawl or walk. He is just now one year old. I also asked the parent what he eats, she replied that he eats everything we eat at home. She is very thin and her daughter is as well. She said her son takes medicine that makes him gain weight. It is steroids for his breathing. I told her we have to make him get on the floor and exercise his legs and try to get him to crawl. I had to involve the director because we believe he needs therapy to get him crawling and walking. After all he is one year old. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteTammie,
ReplyDeleteChildhood obesity seems to in fact be on a dangling scale these days. Some parents have truly tried to do better with nutrition with their children whereas some parents still do not realize the importance of balanced and healthy diets. Because so many parents have to work different shifts in jobs and children are involved in afterschool activities, the drive-through for food is still commonly the quickest way to feed the family. I wonder why the mother of the child was into exercise (as you pointed out that she was in workout clothes) but yet she was letting the child eat such fattening foods? Here in Florida, we do have Head Start Programs and elementary schools that have put more focus on more healthier menus, but until more parents realize the harm that can occur in their child’s health, it will continue to be a struggle as we continue to educate our parents.
That's an important point you brought out when you said, "If the parents are consistently buying unhealthy foods and snacks, the child might grow up eating unhealthy food and snacks". As parent's, we must be mindful of what we feed our children and the part we play in the lives of the children. We are their first example. We are held accountable for their outcomes be it good or bad. There are so many wonderful and great snacks that children can chose from. Do you think that the mom could bring in some healthy snacks to school for her child? Just as a suggestion, I think this would be a good idea. This would help her to see and know what is expected of her as it relates to the child. I think that was a perfect opportunity to had gone over the food facts. It is evident that she is more concern about her health and not the health of her child in the response that she gave to you. As you said, the parents are hurting the child more than they know rather than helping the child in giving him or her the wrong foods.
DeleteTammie,
ReplyDeleteIt's sad to see children so young be overweight. You are what you eat and we really need to think again as to what we're giving and feeding our children.