Grade 7: Home Economics I, Unit IV – Child Care. (10 lessons, 40 - 45minutes).

Note: This unit must not be taken without the necessary equipment. Secure the co-operation of the school nurse where possible.

Specific Aims:

To create in the girls a desire to be intelligent “mothers’ helpers”
To give a knowledge of some of the fundamentals of childcare
To develop the ability to put this knowledge to practical use

Project

Topical Outline

Suggested Approaches and Procedures

Student Activity

Illustrative Material and References

Assignments

1. The care of the baby in the home.

I. General characteristics of a normal baby:

1. Weight-7lbs. At birth: doubled in 6 months: trebled in 1 year. In case of loss of weight, consult the doctor.

2. Bone development-Soft at first: hardens later. Note soft spot on top of head.

3. Length-Approximately 20” growing to 29” at end of first year.

4. Good colour; bright eyes; firm flesh; clear skin; pink lips.

II. Method of handling:

Note-As a rule, it is inadvisable for a girl under 13 or 14 years of age to handle a baby.

1. Lifting gently and carefully, due to softness of bones. (See Greer, p. 490). Babies should be lifted only when necessary.

2. Holding so as to support the neck and back.

3. Carrying so that the head rests against the left shoulder.

4. Avoiding careless caressing and bouncing of baby.

III. Daily Routine:

1. Sleep:

(a) Amount- 20-22 hours daily, decreasing somewhat as child grows older. (See Jensen, Jensen, & Ziller, p. 330).

(b) Good habits of sleep: A regular time. Going to sleep without attention. In open air when possible.

2. Baby’s bed: A baby should sleep alone.

(a) Type: Clothes’ basket. Box. Crib.

(b) Mattress: Firm; stuffed with batting or hair; no feathers; covered with rubber sheeting.

(d) Bedding.

3. Food:

(a) Breast-feeding gives greatest chance for good health.

(b) Value of cod-liver oil, orange juice, tomato-juice, egg-yolk, sifted vegetables, and cereal.

(d) Value of sun-baths.

(e) When bottle-feeding is essential, observe rules on p 142, “Foods, Nutrition, and Home Management Manual.”

4. Baby’s bath:

(a) Preparation: Clean clothing warmed and dry. Bath tub small-small enamel or tin tub. Pitchers of hot and cold water. Towels-old or soft linen. Two wash-cloths. Why? Mild soap. Boric acid solution-1 tbsp. Crystals to 2 c. hot water. Shake and pour off. Absorbent cotton. Safety pins. Talc. Vaseline.

(b) Bathing the baby: See steps in Jensen, Jensen, & Ziller, p. 327.

5. Baby’s clothing:

(a) Soft and light texture.

(b) Loose enough for movement and growth.

(d) Fastened in front using tapes in place of buttons is approved style.

6. Laundering baby’s clothing:

(a) Care of diapers.

(b) Washing and ironing baby’s clothes.

7. Baby’s exercise:

(a) Need for quiet and rest.

(b) Mild exercise before bath, before evening meal, and before bed-time.

(c) Crying is a form of exercise and should be ignored when baby is well, not hungry, dry, clean, and not uncomfortable because of pins.

8. Baby’s toys: Elaborate and expensive toys unnecessary. A child is happiest when he has a few simple toys, which he can manipulate or can use to create something, which originates in his own imagination.

(a) First toys-soft rubber or cloth dolls and animals. These are not heavy and have no sharp edges.

(b) Later toys – blocks, wooden animals to move around, or anything which can be handled, such as spoons, spools, clothes pins, etc.

9. Baby’s nursery:

(a) Location.

(b) Light.

(d) Temperature

(e) Care of room

Open class discussion by such questions as-

· Have you a little baby in your home?

· How much did she weigh when she arrived?

· How can you tell that your baby is healthy?

This method of procedure will enable the teacher to utilize the knowledge the students already have, proceeding from the known to the unknown.

Using a baby doll, demonstrate the correct method of lifting, holding, and carrying a baby.

· Have class tell the number of hours a normal baby sleeps.

· List on the blackboard the number of things a baby must do every day, getting as many as possible from the class.

· By questioning, get from students the types of beds that may be used and the articles of bedding advisable.

· Demonstrate the method of making a bed so as to avoid wrinkles.

· By questioning, get from the girls the variety of foods a child has before 1 year old.

· What are some of the things we must get ready beforehand for baby’s bath?

· Demonstrate.

· Show a complete layette from Red Cross nurse or V.O.N

· Demonstrate dressing a baby doll.

· What makes the baby grow? Food, sleep, and exercise.

· How does a baby get exercise?

· What kinds of toys does your baby like?

· Show suitable and unsuitable types of toys.

· Show pictures of attractive nurseries.

· Bring in picture of healthy baby

· It is advisable gradually to build up a class project book on the care of the baby.

· Give students an opportunity to practice.

· List points in note-book.

· List desirable habits.

· Make baby’s bed so as to develop skill.

· Make list of important points in notebooks.

· List foods a baby needs, including a day’s schedule.

· Make a class baby book.

· Bath the baby doll.

· Make notes.

· Give practice in dressing a baby doll.

· List essentials of a baby’s layette.

* Bring toys from home. Select from them toys which are suitable and give reasons.

· Mount pictures of suitable nurseries in baby book.

Suitable pictures, Trilling, Williams, & Reeves.

Jensen, Jensen, & Ziller.

Greer, P. 492.

Jensen, Jensen, & Ziller, p. 332.

“Foods, Nutrition, and Home Management Manual,” p. 142.

Jensen, Jensen, & Ziller.

Jensen, Jensen, & Ziller, p. 248.

Jensen, Jensen, & Ziller, p. 322.

Jensen, Jensen, & Ziller. P. 331.

Greer, p. 492.

· Study notes and make beds at home so as to develop skills.

· Help mother or friend bath baby.

· Help mother by playing with baby.