Lessons in Family Literacy - Home Environment

Home Environment - Preventing Illness
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Standard 2 / Indicator 2.1

· Demonstrate changes in home environment that support literacy and child development.

· Provide a safe and healthy home environment.

Materials:

Pencil or pen
Family Literacy Journal (view instructions here)
Activity handout – Use this paper to complete the activity.

Lesson:

Preventing illnesses in your home can be quite easy. The following suggestions will help you and your family stay healthy and germ free.

Each time you click on a link below, a new window will open. To return to this page, close the new window.

Immunizations: To keep children healthy their shots must be up-to-date through regular doctor visits. In most cases, children are not allowed to enroll in school unless their immunizations are current.

The first shot is sometimes given at birth. Other shots are given at regular intervals during the first 18 months of life. Then “booster shots” are given after children begin school to keep them immune to certain diseases. It is very important that parents take their infants and toddlers to the doctor for the well-baby exams. These exams and shots are necessary to prevent life-threatening diseases.

Read the article on the following website and print a copy of the immunization schedule. You will find an explanation of each shot at the bottom of the page. Ask your doctor for a detailed schedule of when each shot should be given to your child. http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_newborn/medical_care/immunization_chart.html

Hand washing: Did you know that hand washing is the number one way to prevent the spread of common germs and illness? But many people do not wash their hands regularly. The following website explains why hand washing is important, and it explains how to wash your hands properly to prevent illness. http://www.foodsafety.gov/~dms/fsehand1.html

Food Safety: Keeping the food in your home safe is important to prevent illness. Handling meats properly and storing food correctly can keep your family healthy. You can learn more about how to handle food properly on the following website. http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbsafefood.htm

House Cleaning Checklist: A home can harbor germs and bacteria if it is not cleaned often. Cleaning the kitchen and bathroom properly is also very important to help keep your family healthy. Print the checklist on the following website. http://www.howtocleananything.com/hca_article_calender.htm

Activity:

As you explore each of the websites above, complete the Activity Handout.

Check Answers

Assessment:

Print or email the assessment to your mentor

Preventing Illness journal entry [Word format to email] or [Adobe format to print] get adobe acrobat.

For more information:

Using Medications Safely	http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/home/medication_safety.html
Health Topics for Infants and Children	http://www.cdc.gov/health/nfantsmenu.htm
Health Topics for Adolescents and Teens	http://www.cdc.gov/health/adolescent.htm