Nutrition and Malnutrition
I have chosen nutrition/malnutrition because it is a constant issue that arise in schools and in more and more in children each day. This topic is meaningful to me because I see it everyday. I've had several children enter my class every morning hungry. A lot of times our children have not eaten since they left school the day before. We now offer snack at the end of the day, but that isn't enough. We think of a snack as something to hold you until you get home to eat dinner, but if this is all that our children are receiving it becomes a sad issue.
In the future, which some school have implemented it, but not many, all schools should incorporate an after school program that provides dinner to the children before they go home. If we are offering tutoring and after-school activities, we should also offer a complete meal at the end of the session.
I also think that parents should be brought in and offered more assistance or information where they can go and receive food for their families. A lot of times parents are in need, but do not know how to ask for them help or where to receive it. Having the resources available at all times can make a difference.
Resource:
TaShanna,
ReplyDeleteYes, as an educator we do have to be on the look out for children who are mal-nutritioned. I too observe those children who come into class extra hungry each morning. I do too know that some parents work a variety of schedules and don't have time to cook so I have to take all of that into consideration. I too observe the way a child comes to school dressed, whether he or she comes to school with clean, half-clean and/or dirty clothes on. When I see that, I discuss that with my teacher and we may ask the child questions and depending on the answers, further measures may have to be taken with the child social worker. It saddens me to know that the meals that some children receive at school are the ONLY meals that he/she may have that entire day but I do too know that some children are just greedy. It's sometimes hard as a professional to distinguish between a greedy child and a child that's actually lacking at home. I too have parents that when I see them in the community, they are dressed from head to toe but their child comes to school looking like "wtfuzzy?" I agree that having readily available resources to parents is essential to all individuals involved in the well-being of that child.
I decided to look at malnutrition as well. Food is a basic need for children. In my opinion children should not have to worry about where or when they will receive their next meal. I agree parents should be offered more assistance or information where they can get food for their families if they need it. Hopefully all communities have a program implemented to help families in need.
ReplyDelete-Persephone