1. The Infant years (Birth to 12 Months Old)
Identify specific health and safety considerations that you will have to consider during the infant years.
How will you address these issues?
Example:
Hand washing
Proper hand washing is essential to keeping infants healthy as their immune system is low. “Hand washing is the most
important health practice that parents /educators and children must implement to reduce the spread of infections.”
(Pimento, Page 129) This was seen when my baby had many colds and ear infections within the first year. Although it is
common for infants to catch colds and infections, I need to use proper hand washing.
Proper diaper changing: Proper diaper changing is one of the most important requirements throughout the infant years.
“It also allows for one on one interaction with child” also “Germs can be spread through stool and other bodily fluids
keep cleanliness and safety in mind at all times) (Healthy Development of the whole child handout notes)
Baby proof the house: Having wide enough spaces allows Vida to move around and explore. The way the house or
apartment is set up has a huge influence on the safety of Vida. (Early ages and stages: A brief overview Birth to 12 years
old)
Maintain a clean house: Since Vida Mia will start to crawl and play on the floor it is important that I maintain a clean
environment for her. (Healthy development of the whole child hand out notes)
Build her immune system: It’s important for Vida Mia to start to have a good immune system for when she starts
daycare. (Healthy Development of the Whole Child handout notes)

2. The Toddler Years (2 Years Old)
Have there been any environmental events that you think might have influenced your child’s development?
Does this create any health or safety concerns for your toddler?
For the past two years, Vida Mia and I are very fortunate because we haven’t had many huge environmental events that
would influence her development. With that being said, we have had two major events that have shaken her up and
made her a little more aware.
1) A dog jumped at a fence and scared Vida now every time that we go out she hesitates to leave the house and
my husband and I have to reassure her that the dog isn’t there. To help her get over her fear we’ve been talking
to her about what happened and showing her pictures of different types of dogs. We try reassuring her that
everything is okay and that she doesn’t need to be afraid. This event has had such a huge impact on her “safety”
because she feels like every dog that comes along her way is going to try and hurt her.
2) Vida Mia fell off her tricycle and scraped her knee a few days ago and now she is very reluctant to go back on it. I
don’t push her to go on but I do try and talk to her about the accident and let her know that when she feels
ready to go back on I’ll be there to help her.