Part 6
Part 6
Part 6
Acknowledging cultural and religious differences
Each child you care for will come from a different background with a
family that has their own values and culture. Although each child should
be treated equally and fairly as part of the group, you must also ensure
that everyone is seen as a unique individual. Working with families and
getting to know their cultural or religious differences will ensure that
you can work with children to provide care that increases awareness of
their own background. This may be in the form of working with children
of different faiths as well as nationalities, preferences and individual
attitudes.
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
Through working in partnership with parents and carers, a good diet and
nutrition can be implemented and maintained which does not contradict
any culture preferences or allergies of the child.
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
Fruit and vegetables – this category includes all fruit and vegetables,
except potatoes which are included in the above mentioned food group.
You should be aiming to provide children with at least five portions or
fruit and vegetables per day. Food from this category can be fresh,
canned or frozen or even served as juices. If choosing canned fruit, make
sure that you purchase fruit in their natural juices rather than in syrup as
the syrup contains a high level of sugar. Canned vegetables should be
purchased in water rather than brine which contains a high level of salt.
Meat, fish and pulses – this category contains all types of meat products
such as burgers and sausages, poultry, fish and eggs. Vegetarians would
include soya products and tofu in this category. Lentils and pulses are
also included. You should be aiming to provide two portions of food
from this category per day.
Milk and dairy products – this category includes milk, cheese and
yoghurt. For a healthy balanced diet you should be aiming to offer
children two or three servings from this category per day.
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
Depending on age, we should be aiming to eat the following number of
portions per day from each of the above categories:-
! Bread, cereals and potatoes – A third of your day’s intake
! Fruit and vegetables – A third of your day’s intake
! Milk and dairy – 2 to 3 portions
! Meat, fish and pulses – 2 to 3 portions
! Fats and sweets – occasionally
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
New born babies change dramatically with regard to their calorie intake
in the first year of life beginning by needing around 300-350 calories
they will require more in the region of 1000 calories by the end of their
first year as their bodies grow and develop. Parents will learn in time to
spot the signs which tell them that their child is hungry or satisfied and
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
Breast feeding
Breast milk has exactly the right composition to meet the necessary
nutritional needs of a baby and it is for this reason that medical experts
strongly recommend that mother’s breast feed their off-spring.
Some of the advantages to breast feeding are:-
! Breast milk contains all the necessary nutrients needed by the baby
and these nutrients are correctly balanced.
! Breast feeding can be an excellent way for mothers to bond with
their babies.
! Breast milk contains antibodies produced by the mother. These
antibodies protect the baby against infections when breast fed for
the first two or three days after the birth.
! Breast milk is easily digested and absorbed.
! Feeding on demand is easier when breast feeding.
! The milk does not require any preparation i.e. measuring or warming.
! Breast fed babies are less likely to develop food allergies.
! There is no need to sterilise or prepare equipment or bottles.
! Breast feeding is a cheaper option to formula milk.
! Breast feeding helps a new mother to regain her pre-pregnancy
weight sooner than if she doesn’t breast feed.
! Breast feeding reduces the mother’s risk of developing breast cancer
in later years.
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
(emptier breast = higher fat milk), rather than by the time of day or
stage of the feed. Babies on a routine feeding schedule will sleep more
through the night and feed during the day leaving the breast to be in
constant need of refilling.
Not many women realise that their delivery method can affect the
duration of breastfeeding. A study published in a 2006 issue of the
"Journal of Preventative Medicine and Public Health" found that women
who delivered vaginally were more likely to breast feed their children
than those who delivered via caesarean section. This could be attributed
to a number of factors, such as the healing process or a baby with a low
birth weight. While you can't necessarily choose the way you deliver,
you can prepare yourself for added challenges should you deliver via C-
section.
Milk production and breastfeeding management is also affected by the
mother’s milk storage capacity. A mother’s storage capacity is the
amount of milk that can be stored between feeds. This can vary widely
and also between a woman’s breasts. Breast size does not determine
storage capacity, although having small breasts can limit the amount of
milk that can be stored. Whether there is a large or small storage
capacity, a mother can produce plenty of milk for her baby. A woman
with a larger milk storage capacity may have the ability to go longer
between feeds without it having an impact on milk supply and baby’s
growth. On the other hand, a mother with a less ample storage capacity,
may need to nurse baby more often to satisfy their appetite and
maintain milk supply since her breasts will become fuller more quickly.
According to a 2009 study published in the "International Breastfeeding
Journal", having the full support of a partner helps increase a woman’s
chance of success when trying to breastfeed. An effective support
system can be key to boosting a woman’s chances of successfully breast
feeding. If a woman lives in an area where breast feeding is widely
accepted and encouraged it may help her be more knowledgeable and
less self-conscious when having to breast feed her baby. Sometimes
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
breast milk as babies are less likely to have high blood pressure by the
time they're teenagers.
Babies who are fed on a formula based on cow or soy milk tend to have
more allergies than breastfed babies. As Secretory IgA is only available in
breast milk, it helps prevent allergic reactions to food when it provides a
layer of protection to a baby's intestinal tract. Without this protection,
inflammation can develop and the wall of the intestine can become
"leaky." This allows undigested proteins to cross the gut where they can
cause an allergic reaction and other health problems.
A variety of studies have found a link between breastfeeding and
cognitive development. In a study of more than 17,000 infants followed
from birth to 6 1/2 years, it was concluded from IQ scores and other
intelligence tests that prolonged and exclusive breastfeeding
significantly improves cognitive development.
Another study that included around 4,000 children, showed that babies
who were breastfed had significantly higher scores on a vocabulary test
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at 5 years of age than children who were not. The longer the period of
breast feeding the higher score.
When preterm infants who were born with extremely low birth weights
received breast milk shortly after birth improved their mental
development scores at 18 months when compared with preterm infants
who were fed on other milk. A later study found that babies who
received breast milk were also less likely to be hospitalised again
because of respiratory infections. Some experts say that it may be the
emotional bonding that takes place during breastfeeding that could
contribute to some of the brainpower benefits, but others believe that
the fatty acids in breast milk may play the biggest role.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends
breastfeeding for as long as possible to reduce the risk of SIDS. One large
study by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences showed
that children who are breastfed have a 20% lower risk of dying between
the ages of 28 days and 1 year than children who weren't breastfed.
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
Bottle feeding
Not all mothers can or wish to breast feed their babies and in these
cases the baby will need formula milk. Formula milk, which is produced
in a factory, is made from a mixture of ingredients and it can be
purchased in either powdered form which will need mixing or liquid
form which can be used directly. Both types of formula milk should be
offered to the baby in a sterilised bottle.
Formula milk which can be purchased today has different constituents
from breast milk and some of it’s ingredients include:
! Cow’s milk
! Fish or vegetable oils
! Soya
! Synthetic chemicals which supply the baby with vitamins and
minerals in order for them to gain the nutrients necessary.
Some of the advantages of bottle feeding are:-
! It offers more freedom and flexibility for the mother as fathers and
other people can take over the feeding.
! It is easier to see how much milk the baby is getting.
! Formula milk is digested more slowly than breast milk which may
lead to some babies requiring fewer feeds.
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
Between the ages of five and six months babies begin to learn how to
chew in addition to sucking and generally they will be receptive to new
tastes making it easy for you to introduce different flavours.
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Weaning
Weaning is the process of changing from a milk diet to one that includes
solid food. Weaning lays the foundation for healthy eating habits and
relationships to be formed. As a child grows, food will eventually
completely replace milk in being the main provider of all the nutrients a
child needs. So weaning is about getting them used to new tastes and
textures.
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Trying to force a child to wean before they are ready can cause negative
relationships with food. Children should be able to wean at their own
pace and parents and carers must be patient. Establishing a negative
relationship with food at the weaning stage can cause negative impacts
in later life.
When weaning a baby it is important to remember that solid food
should be offered in addition to milk feeds and not take the place of
them. Milk should still account for around 40% of a baby’s intake even
at the age of twelve months.
Start by offering very small amounts of soft pureed food on the tip of a
sterilised baby spoon. The initial foods offered may vary from country to
country and culture to culture depending on which foods are readily
available but as a starting point some ideal weaning foods include:-
! Banana
! Pear
! Carrot
! Potato
! Turnip
! Cauliflower
! Broccoli
! Baby rice
! Yam
! Butternut squash
When offering food it is important to introduce water and diluted juice.
These should be offered in a cup with handles and a lid. Over a number
of weeks and months the amount of food offered should be slowly
increased so that by the time the child reaches twelve months old they
are being offered a varied diet of prepared meals during the day which
are subsidised with milk feeds at the start and end of each day. New
foods should be offered one at a time with an interval of a few days
before offering anything else new so that you can see how your baby
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copes with the food and whether it has caused any kind of adverse
reaction. The best way to do this and avoid confusion is to introduce
one new food a week and select a day for doing this. Sometimes a baby
may appear to dislike a certain food however it is important to keep on
trying them with it and you should re-introduce the food at subsequent
meals.
It is important when preparing weaning foods that you do not add any
sugar or salt to them nor should these foods include gluten as this can
be difficult for young babies to digest.
Although the initial weaning foods will be ‘sloppy and bland’ you should
be continually aiming to introduce a range of textures, tastes and smells
so that your child gets used to a varied menu. As the child gets older
and teeth begin to show you can introduce more texture to the food
finely chopping rather than pureeing foods to the required constituency.
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It can sometimes be difficult to know how much solid food a child should
be having and children under twelve months should be continuing with
milk feeds with solid food given in addition. As a general rule, an
average twelve month old child should be following these portion
guidelines:-
Fruit – should be offered in small quantities 2-4 times a day. A portion
may be plum or half of a small apple.
Vegetables – 3-5 portions equivalent to a tablespoon each day.
Meat, fish – 2-4 portions equivalent to a tablespoon each day.
Potato, rice, cereal, bread – 4-6 portions equivalent to one tablespoon
or one slice of bread each day.
Weaning is an important part of a child’s development and it should be
thought through carefully. Foods should be planned and prepared so
that they contain the best nutritional value possible. Some important
factors to be considered when weaning a baby are:
! Do not introduce solid food too early. Five to six months is the
average age for babies to be introduced to solid food.
! Milk should account for 40% of a baby’s intake until they are twelve
months old.
! Don’t get up tight if your baby refuses solid food – take your time and
offer the food again in a day or so.
! Always supervise your baby when they are feeding to reduce any
choking risks.
! Under supervision allow babies to attempt to feed themselves – their
interest in food should be fostered at any early age.
! Introduce solid foods gradually – one meal at a time. Building up
over a period of weeks.
! Introduce different tastes and textures early on so that your baby
gets used to a variety of foods.
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
age appropriate foods they can hold in their hands while others are
eating they may soon learn to copy on their own.
The easiest finger foods for young babies are those that are chip-shaped,
or have a natural handle, such as cooked broccoli spears. When a baby
first tries solids, they won't yet have developed a pincer grip. The pincer
grip will develop in the next few months. Babies usually play with their
food at first but it’s all a learning experience for them. It may begin by
grabbing and sucking foods placed in front of them while they learn
what food is for. Remember a child who is beginning weaning is not used
to foods and their role so patience is key. Parents should not stop giving
their baby breastmilk or formula milk in between and as the baby
gradually eats more solids, parents can decrease the number of milk
feeds a day. As weaning progresses, a baby’s want for the bottle of milk
feeds will also start to decrease.
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The rate of growth for toddlers decreases dramatically in contrast to
babies who may grow as much as 8cm in just three months. A toddler,
pound for pound, actually requires less calories at 18-24 months than an
infant because of this decrease in growth. Many parents are confused
about how much food a toddler should eat in order to remain healthy
and the table below gives a guide to the size and number of servings
needed by an average toddler of 18-36 months in order to remain fit and
healthy.
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
they may simply not be hungry and it is important that you respect this
in order for the child to be able to respond to their own hunger cues and
not to eat simply because the food is in front of them. Learning to
respond to their own hunger cues is vital if children are to learn the vital
skill of maintaining a healthy weight. Having said this, children should be
taught to eat at proper mealtimes and with sensible time intervals
between meals rather than being allowed to eat on demand throughout
the day. Structured meals and snacks are important and these are the
times when your child should be allowed to choose whether or not to
eat. If they eat breakfast but refuse a snack let them - however do not
allow them to eat anything else until lunch. This will enable them to
develop a healthy eating pattern.
Toddlers love to feed themselves and, despite the mess they make, they
should be allowed to do this whenever possible. You should always
supervise children when they are eating or drinking and be on hand to
assist if necessary. Usually a toddler will begin feeding themselves with
‘finger foods’ which are easy to chew such as pieces of toast or bread,
small pieces of fruit etc. after which they will progress onto using a
spoon and fork. In order to minimise the mess made by toddlers feeding
themselves remember to:-
! Provide them with child sized cutlery which they can easily handle.
! Place a plastic mat on the floor underneath where the child is sitting
to protect the carpet.
! Use bibs.
! Have a damp cloth handy.
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
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CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
The diet for children of these ages should consist of the following
components:-
Component Children 6-8 years Children 9-12 years
Carbohydrates 200-250g 300g
Protein 22-30g 30-45g
Fat 48-60g 60-75g
Fibre 10-15g 14-17g
One of the easiest ways to teach children about the importance of
healthy eating and why they need to choose healthy food options is to
involve them in meal decisions and preparations. If you explain to them
why they can’t eat fast food all the time they are more likely to accept
your explanation than if you simply deny them the foods they ask for
without giving a reason. Invite your child to help you choose menus and
to assist in the preparation of the meals so that they can become
informed about healthy eating options together with healthy ways to
cook food. Offering healthy foods which they like will make it much
easier to encourage your child to follow a healthy diet plan.
All children will go through a ‘growth spurt’ this is usually during the
time of puberty and is, on average, likely to be around 10-11 years for
girls and 12-13 years for boys. During this time when growth increases
the child needs to increase the amount of calories they eat. In general
terms, children going through puberty need to increase their daily intake
of calories by around 200-300. This amount may need to be increased
further if the child is particularly active or sporty as they will inevitably
burn up more calories with the exercise they take part in. Athletic
children may need in excess of 2,500 calories per day during their
growth spurt period.
In addition to an increase in calories, children will also need to increase
their calcium intake prior to the onset of puberty. From around the age
of 9-10 years the recommended amount of calcium is around 1,300mg in
order to ensure the growth of healthy bones.
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