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What children need for optimal growth and development.

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What children need for optimal growth and development.

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As both genetic and environmental factors influence growth and development, it is quite a complex topic involving the consideration of many needs. Some of the needs are:
- Nutritious food
-Clean water
-Quality health care
-Quality education
-Exercise/sport
-Loving and supportive family/home environment
-Social interactions (including friends)

-Leigh-ann McMahon

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What children need for optimal growth and development

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What children need for optimal growth and development

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Beyond the fulfillment of basic needs such as adequate and nutritious food, clean water and shelter and the provision of a safe and healthy environment in which to live and play, positive relationships with family and caregivers is of utmost importance. According to the World Health Organisation (2007), young children develop best in a warm, responsive environment in which there are ample opportunities to explore their world, play and communicate with others. Secure attachment to a trusted caregiver who provides consistent caring, support and affection is particularly important for infants and young children (WHO, 2007).

World Health Organisation. (2007). Early Childhood Development: A Powerful Equaliser.   Retrieved from: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/69729/a91213.pdf;jsessionid=65BFA99A8414F2846D19DB5B25A64DF4?sequence=1

- Melanie Green

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What children need for optimal growth and development.  

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What children need for optimal growth and development.  

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Children require a steady foundation to be able to grow and develop optimally. A secure and steady foundation is made of the fundamental basics of need required by any person which is reflected on Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Shelter, rest, food and water are the most important as without them security, relationships, belonging and self fulfilment become ineffective without accessibility of basic needs.  When basic needs  is established children begin to grow and develop within there surrounding environments and the people within those environments educators, families, peers and health professionals. When a sense of security is established children feel confident enough to explore and participate in everyday activities, challenging themselves to grow and develop in all aspects of there lives.
- Nadine Banoub

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Children need supportive and nurturing relationships from adults in their lives. They need parents or caregivers who provide them with a safe and caring environment, where love, protection and nurture is offered unconditionally. When children feel actively supported and a sense of belonging, their confidence of themselves and within their world will enable them to thrive and grow. Adults should always strive to ensure the children's health and wellness is priority, where good, nutritious food, clean water, a safe home and education is available.

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What children need for optimal health and development.

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What children need for optimal health and development.

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Children deserve the right to feel loved, be given adequate food and water as well as live in a safe environment.

As stated in Facts for life – Child protection http://www.factsforlifeglobal.org/12/index.html
All children have the right to protection. They have the right to survive, to be safe, to belong, to be heard, to receive adequate care and to grow up in a protective environment.

- Tracey Taylor

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Children need to form strong attachments with significant adults, they need warmth, care and  love so that they can learn to build relationships and develop a strong sense of identity. Strong attachments will enable a child to be confident and have more of an understanding of their world around them.
Denise Clarke

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What Children need for optimal health and development.

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What Children need for optimal health and development.

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First and foremost, children need adults that place a high value on children. Adults that are willing to learn how to better care and provide for children within their social and cultural structures. This requires ongoing government support for parents/caregivers at all levels of income and education. It should include good ante-natal care, information about better nutrition and the dangers of alcohol/drugs on a developing child, the need for immunisation and ongoing healthcare, stable homes and safe learning environments. Victoria Gascoyne

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What do children need for optimal health and development?

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What do children need for optimal health and development?

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In oder for children to grow and mature naturally, Children need to have access to and be exposed to various ages groups for socialisation. These networking interactions help children build on their emerging sharing, compassion and communication skills that will help them engage in critical thinking skills and also problem solving

Lana Johnson

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What can ensure optimal growth and development for children?

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What can ensure optimal growth and development for children?

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Children have the right to be healthy and have access to all opportunities to increase their quality of life and wellbeing. After reading ‘Facts for life’ there are many actions needed for optimal development. These include access to good nutrition consisting of a balanced diet that includes all vitamins and minerals to minimise malnutrition. Good nutrition also includes breastmilk, especially for children under six months, this also means that a pregnant mother should take the necessary steps to maintain a healthy lifestyle and obtain prenatal and postnatal care. Children should be protected from diseases with current updated immunisations. Children need to be provided with the right medical care when illness occurs as well as maintaining health check ups regularly. From birth children need to be loved and showed affection, to also be taught to demonstrate love and care for others as well as allowing them to explore socially, physically and intellectually. Children need a supportive environment that is safe environmentally and emotionally. Children should be taught from an early age to maintain their health and wellbeing as well as how to keep their bodies safe. It seems that the parents/caregivers, cultural and social factors are factors that can enhance a child’s growth and development.

Leonie Zahra

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What do children need for optimal growth and development?

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What do children need for optimal growth and development?

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Children learn from birth. They will grow and learn best when they are given attention, stimulation and affection, and have access to good nutrition and healthcare. As children grow, they require a well balanced diet to ensure good health and development. Immunization is also important to protect against diseases. Children also require good hygiene practices allowing many illnesses to be prevented. Living with family, birth registration, access to basic services, protection from violence, a child-friendly justice system based on child rights, and children’s active engagement in developing their knowledge and skills to protect themselves are also important building blocks which ensure children can develop to their full potential. Injuries can also be prevented if parents watch  children carefully, keeping their environment safe and teaching them how to avoid accidents and injuries.
- Sheridan Musto

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What do children need for optimal growth and development? 

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What do children need for optimal growth and development? 

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All children have the right to have their needs met on a physical, emotional and social level. This includes the right to basic needs of water, food, sanitation/hygiene, education, health/medical including immunisation and hospital. On a emotional level they have the right to a nurturing home environment, free from war and violence, free from emotional and physical abuse and free from child labour. On a social level they have the right to play time, activities and social interaction with other kids and within the community, they have the right to be free to develop and participate in social actives. Children have the right to grow up in the most stable environment as much as possible and not be taking on the concerns of the world around them. - Ivanna Balen

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 What do children need for optimal growth and development?

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 What do children need for optimal growth and development?

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Children have the right to grow u in a stable, loving and untiring environment which allows them to grow and thrive, they have the right to access to clean water, food and shelter.

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Children have the right to, require and deserve protection.  "They have the right to survive, to be safe, to belong, to be heard, to receive adequate care and to grow up in a protective environment" (http://www.factsforlifeglobal.org/12/).  Those who are denied these vital rights and live their lives exposed to violations such as violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation may suffer any number of setbacks and disadvantages with regard to their development, health and wellbeing.

Phoebe Miller

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Children need a stable environment which provides them with opportunities to develop their skills and maintain positive health and wellbeing. This is achieved by giving children access to safe environments, healthy foods, clean water and education.
- Amanda Karakostas

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Children need good community, social support to grow, as the famous proverb says it takes a community to raise children. 

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Children need good community, social support to grow, as the famous proverb says it takes a community to raise children. 

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Conditions for optimal growth, development, health and well-being of children

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Conditions for optimal growth, development, health and well-being of children

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Children require a safe, supportive loving environment with access to nutritious food, clean water, healthcare, housing and education.  Essentially prioritizing the support of parents or carers by Government departments and the local community to ensure the optimal provision of this environment for children.

Stacey Francis

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Children's growth and development starts in the womb, therefore it is vital that the mother receives good ante-natal care. Ensuring adequate nutrition, clean water, and housing and safe environment are essential for mother and for children to grow and develop.

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Children's growth and development starts in the womb, therefore it is vital that the mother receives good ante-natal care. Ensuring adequate nutrition, clean water, and housing and safe environment are essential for mother and for children to grow and develop.

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Annettte Daly Martin

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What do children require for optimal growth anddevelopment, health and well-being. 

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What do children require for optimal growth anddevelopment, health and well-being. 

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To attain optimal growth and development, health and well-being, children require a protective environment that provides access to adequate food, water, shelter and education.

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i agree but lately the antenatal checks are reduced, which can be a worry. the antenatal classes that I attended when I was pregnant started in my 4th month, now its done I the 8th month. 

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i agree but lately the antenatal checks are reduced, which can be a worry. the antenatal classes that I attended when I was pregnant started in my 4th month, now its done I the 8th month. 

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Regular maternity care by a trained health worker at least 4 times during a pregnancy can greatly reduce the risks of childbearing for mother and child - Rachel Mielekamp

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Regular maternity care by a trained health worker at least 4 times during a pregnancy can greatly reduce the risks of childbearing for mother and child - Rachel Mielekamp

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Double click on the blackboard to add your thoughts. Babies need love and affection for optimal brain development. -Alison Devitt

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Double click on the blackboard to add your thoughts. Babies need love and affection for optimal brain development. -Alison Devitt