Newly Revised Manual Promotes Health, Nutrition, and Safety of Children in Early Childhood Settings

Fifth edition of Healthy Young Children contains new chapter on physical activity
and updated standards, procedures, and resources

"Healthy Young Children: A Manual for Programs, Fifth edition, based on the standards in Caring for Our Children, Third edition, is the “go-to” resource for current, practical, evidenced-based health and safety information in early care and education settings."
— Linda Satkowiak, ND, RN, CNS, NCSN, Healthy Child Care Colorado Coordinator, Qualistar Colorado

WASHINGTON—The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is pleased to announce the publication of the fifth edition of Healthy Young Children: A Manual for Programs, edited by Susan S. Aronson, MD, FAAP.

Children’s health and safety is a cornerstone of quality in early childhood settings. Healthy Young Children was first published in 1988. Since then, it has been a commonly used reference in early childhood settings to promote the health, nutrition and safety of children, staff members and families. It is also frequently used as a textbook in college courses. The manual is designed to be useful to all who work with children in group care settings, including program directors, consultants, teacher educators, teachers and others concerned about keeping children and adults safe and healthy.

The latest edition contains a new chapter on promoting children’s health through physical activity. It also includes updated standards, procedures and resources, including sample forms, letters and checklists that reflect the most current recommendations from health professionals for keeping children healthy and safe in group care. Individual chapters discuss how to prevent infections and injuries, prepare for emergencies, promote good nutrition and physical activity, and care for children with disabilities and short-term or chronic health needs.

Susan Aronson, MD, FAAP, is a pediatrician, recently retired Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and an author and advisor for NAEYC and for the American Academy of Pediatrics. For four decades, she has served as a health consultant for Head Start programs, early care and education programs, and school-age child care programs. She has edited, authored, and contributed to many books about children’s health and well-being, including Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools (Second edition) and Model Child Care Health Policies (Fourth edition).

Healthy Young Children: A Manual for Programs (Fifth edition) ($35.00; 256 pages; ISBN 978-1-928896-82-1) is available for sale from NAEYC’s Online Store. Review copies are available upon request. For desk copy requests, contact Debra Sharpe.