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Child to child approach

Introduction

Health promotion for and by the children has got greater potential for bringing about positive and perceptible changes in their health, knowledge, attitude, and above all practices and behaviors. The emphasis is on the child to child approach

The concept

The concept of child to child approach had evolved from the recognition of the role that older children can play in caring for their younger siblings. In rural areas, older children are often required to share bath, dress and play with younger brothers and sisters and also protect them from getting injured.

The child to child concept is 1st introduced by Dr. David Morley 1978 Institute of Child Health, University of London. He used older children of age 06-14 yrs for passing massage on health matters to their parents, siblings, and also to their neighbors

Later in India at 1979 introduced in Kerala. Now it is functioning all through the country as a part of school health services

Principles of child to child approach

The child to child approach will work in two main principles

1. Developing children knowledge on health2. Change their attitude, behaviors on health

Objectives of child to child concept

To improve the level of health, nutrition and development of children through child to child activities

To make learning a relevant, meaningful and enjoyable experience for the children To enable children to make qualitative improvement in life of their younger sisters, and

brothers, their parents, neighbors. Thus applying facts learnt in school in daily life To improve the school and neighborhood environment through organized activities To help the children feel a sense of being control of their lives

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Criteria to select the sutiations

Do the activities address important health priorities, central to the concepts of the ‘primary health care’?

Are the priorities selected those in which the power of the children would be effectively used?

Are the children are interested?

Topics for the child to child approach

1. Personal and community hygiene and safety2. Prevention and control of disease3. Child simulation and development4. Recognizing and helping the handicapped5. Better nutrition

Activities

Personal and community hygiene and safety

Prevention of accidents

Identify accidents hazards and eliminate them Water younger children

Care of teeth

Pass the good habit to younger children

Neighborhood hygiene

Be aware of un healthy surroundings Individually and together seek to improve them and teach other children to

do so

Prevention and control of disease

Oral rehydration/ diarrhea

Recognize the signs of dehydration Teaching about domestic preparation of ORS

Care of sick children

Taking care of younger children Finding danger signals of RTI

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Care of fever

Child stimulation and development

Recognize the stages of growth and development Making toys for younger children Helping in play

Recognizing and helping handicapped

Recognizing the children with these kind of problems Learn to do simple test for vision and hearing Learn to help the integrate children with these disabilities

Better nutrition

Recognize the signs of malnutrition in younger children Spread the message about better nutrition

Steps in Child to Child Activities

Step I

Developing real understanding of health and health problems being addressed

Step II

Finding out about the problem

Step III

Take over solution, what I can do? How can I do?

Step IV

Apply solution

Step V

Evaluate the sutiations

Delivery of the services

For school children

School children will be taught in their curriculum regarding all aspects of health

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For better understandings health workers, especially community health nurse will visit the school to have teaching to the children as well as teachers regarding health

For non school going children

Community health nurse must encourage the child and family to attend the school School children will be used s teachers Health workers will also used for approaching non school going children

Conclusion

Health promotion for and by the children has got greater potential for bringing about positive and perceptible changes in their health, knowledge, attitude, and above all practices and behaviors. The emphasis is on the child to child approach