Proposal for Health Education
Children fall into the category of people that are most susceptible to injuries. Many young people die or become crippled because of suffering life-threatening injuries they cannot recuperate from. Injuries are not genetically predetermined, meaning they can be prevented. The process of growing up incorporates getting familiar with risk, whether it is outdoor play or handling peer violence. People at an early age have no conception of what risk entails. Subsequently, they choose activities that can inflict harm on them in the form of injuries, whether they are unintentional or precipitated by violence. The purpose of this essay is to outline a proposal for enhancing the health promotion of children’s injuries and mitigating violent behavior.
Injury Prevention
Exploring the environment is a normal activity for children’s engagement. However, their lack of knowledge, as well as an understanding of safety, creates risk for child health. Parents allow their offspring to play outdoors, which makes them accountable for children’s well-being. According to Sandseter and Sando (2016), “research indicates that a lack of supervision plays a key role in such childhood injuries” (p. 5). Therefore, it is imperative to highlight the adult presence and attention in health promotion.
It is impossible to isolate children from risky activities altogether. Moreover, Sandseter and Sando (2016) remind that young boys and girls learn valuable lessons when they participate in risky play. Studies have found evidence that limitations on certain activities can reduce the probability of injuries (Sandseter & Sando, 2016). The activities that are suggested to be restricted include unsupervised swimming, tree climbing, and playing during severe weather conditions. Health education ought to dissuade parents from the unlimited allowance of children’s risky play.
Violence Prevention
Not all injuries are accidental, with violence being one of the primary causes of them. In particular, orphanages are notorious for peer aggression. Sherr, Roberts, and Gandhi (2017) have surveyed studies on child violence prevention. The research indicated that children raised in families have significantly less exposure to misbehavior. Sherr et al. (2017) also advocated for parents receiving caregiver training to reduce child maltreatment. In light of the studies, it stands to reason that incorporating orphanage methods of handling child aggression in health promotion can assist in violence prevention.
Another means of influencing children is through the use of media. Flood (2018) pointed to several social campaigns that managed to reduce violence by raising public awareness. The examples include “Bell Bajao!” In India, “Violence Against Women: A Disaster We Can Prevent as Men” in Nicaragua, and “My strength is not for hurting” in the United States. Considering that children are more susceptible to Mass Media narrative, it is possible to use the campaigns’ slogans and messages in health education to facilitate violence prevention.
Conclusion
Altogether, injury and violence are intertwined. The risk of injury is always present in children’s lives. The majority of cases where child health is jeopardized are attributed to the lack of parental supervision. Health promotion has to encourage parents to limit the high-risk activities of their offspring. As for violence prevention, pedagogic practice in orphanages can be included in health promotion. Understanding what causes aggression is essential in its management. Moreover, health education can also use the experience of media campaigns aimed at alleviating violence. Raising awareness of consequences can improve peer relations. Overall, injuries and violence prevention can be achieved by higher control, limitations, and understanding of causes.
References
Flood, M. (2018). Engaging men and boys in violence prevention. Chicago, IL: Springer.
Sandseter, E. B. H., & Sando, O. J. (2016). We don’t allow children to climb trees: How a focus on safety affects Norwegian children’s play in early-childhood education and care settings. American Journal of Play, 8(2), 178-200.
Sherr, L., Roberts, K. J., & Gandhi, N. (2017). Child violence experiences in institutionalised/orphanage care. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 22(1), 31-57.