Health & Wellbeing program

At Glen Dhu Children’s Services we believe it is important for children to be confident, resilient and emotionally intelligent individuals. Our educators take a holistic approach to promote children’s physical, personal, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing (EYLF) to ensure children’s health and wellbeing needs are met. We know what matters, and we know children have the right to experience high quality education and care in an environment that provides for their health and wellbeing. We know that when children feel happy, safe, well and have social connections they are able to fully participate in and learn from daily routines, play, interactions and experiences during their time at Glen Dhu Children’s Services.

Wellbeing Educators at Glen Dhu Children’s services are involved in the Be You Program. This is a government funded initiative that provides training to develop educators mental health skills and knowledge and to support the mental health and wellbeing in children and young people. Be you is about creating a mentally healthy learning community for children, families and educators.

The be You program has 5 domains: ·        

  • Mentally healthy communities ·        
  • Family partnerships ·       
  • Learning resilience ·        
  • Early support ·       
  • Responding together.

We promote emotional intelligence and build children’s resilience through intentional teaching experiences that enable children to recognise and respond to their emotional needs. Good mental health and wellbeing are integral to academic learning and supports children in their transition from childhood to adolescence and adulthood.

“Children who become strong in their social and emotional wellbeing are resilient and confident learners- able to cope with day to day challenges and frustrations and are able to feel good about their own and others achievements.”

Be You. Our curriculum supports this through: ·       

  • Building strong and secure partnerships with children and their families. ·       
  • Learning about emotions and feelings. ·        
  • Mindfulness. ·       
  • Rest and relaxation. ·        
  • Yoga and meditation.  

 

Health

At Glen Dhu Children’s services children have the opportunity to be involved in decision making related to their health. We understand that involving children in these decisions empowers them to be confident, capable and independent individuals.

Progressive meal times:

Through mealtimes, hygiene procedures, play and rest children have the ability to express their autonomy and rights. Progressive meal times is an example of a daily practice that promotes children’s self regulation skills and allows children to take increasing responsibility for the health and wellbeing. Through this routine, children are also encouraged to practice good health and hygiene practices such as handwashing and to make their own healthy eating choices.

Adventurous play :

Children at Glen Dhu Children’s services are encouraged and supported to take managed risks and engage in adventurous play. We acknowledge that it is sometimes difficult to find the right balance between allowing children to engage in adventurous in our physical environment whilst preventing serious injuries. Our service is committed to supporting families to understand the importance and benefits of risk taking through adventurous play for their children. We believe that for children to learn effectively and prepare for life long skills, it’s important for them to experience challenging situations in our physical environment that is managed effectively to minimise negative outcome. Adventurous play encourages children to problem solve, build resilience, develop self regulation, gain confidence and independence and much, much more.

Rest and relaxation:

Educators ensure there are opportunities to meet each child’s need for sleep, rest and relaxation and that families preferences regarding sleep and rest for their child are considered. We understand the rest time is more than providing opportunities to sleep, that is why we also provide other relaxing experiences such as quiet play, audio stories, sensory play and quiet reading. We believe that this supports children to listen to their bodies and acknowledge the importance of self care.  

Motor Skills program:

The motor skills program, facilitated by Annette Flemming, is designed to help children develop and practice fundamental movement skills through active play and structured movement activities. Activities include ball games, parachute games, balancing games and yoga. This improves competence and confidence in movement abilities. Through a range of locomotor and gross motor skills children gain physical skills, confidence, learn the importance of sharing and taking turns and most of all have fun!  

 links :

  1. Home - Be You 
  2. BELONGING, BEING & BECOMING (acecqa.gov.au)
  3. Quality Area 2 – Children's health and safety |
  4. ACECQA