In this course, you will learn about the physical needs of children and explore strategies to meet these needs. The course emphasizes positive health routines, hygiene, nutrition, feeding and clothing practices, childhood diseases, safety, and development of healthy habits. 

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

• demonstrate an understanding of the stages of physical growth of children, and practices which meet their changing needs. 
• demonstrate proficiency in planning positive health routines for children within the framework of the early childhood program. 
• demonstrate an understanding of appropriate meal planning practices for young children. 
• demonstrate the ability to identify common childhood diseases, and plan appropriate responses to their onset. 
• demonstate proficiency in planning child-centered activities to promote conceptual understanding in children of self care in the areas of health, safety and nutrition. 
• demonstrate an understanding of the definition of child abuse, identification of symptoms, and appropriate responses.

The required textbook for this course is:

• Health, Safety and Nutrition , Marotz, L. & Cross, M., Delmar Publishing, Albany, N.Y., 6th edition 
• Model Child Care Health Policies , Aronson,S., American Academy of Pediatrics, 4th ed. 

For information on how to order your textbooks, go to http://eli.nvcc.edu/books/

Additional Materials:

The following materials are also required for this course:

• Minimum Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers , Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Licensing Programs. (Directions are given in Assignments).
• Building Blocks for Fun and Healthy Meals , U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, Spring 2000 (This book can be viewed online. )

Using eBooks

Your course allows open-book exams. You will only be allowed to use a hard copy of the textbook at the Testing Centers.

If the publisher offers an electronic version of the textbook (called an “eBook”), you will not be able to access it at the Testing Centers. Also, you will not be able to use the printouts of the electronic text or copies of the pages of the hard copy textbook at the Testing Centers. If you have purchased an eBook and wish to use a textbook during your open-book exam, we suggest that you check the NOVA libraries, and/or contact your instructor, to try to locate a hard copy you could borrow for the exam.

Your course grade will be determined by the introductory letter, 1 project and 4 exams, according to the following points:

There are 3 exams in this course. You are expected to take your examinations at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers. Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing Centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. You will need to take a photo ID, your NovaConnect empl ID number, and the appropriate Exam Pass when you go to the Testing Center.  

For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.

For information on taking exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here.

I am here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact me when they do:

E-mail : kluldow@nvcc.edu,
Telephone : (703) 257-6586
You may also call me to schedule a meeting in person, either at ELI or my campus office in Manassas. 

1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard at http://learn.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor.