The Healthy Childhood Research Group

*Excerpt from
Hayden, J., De Gioia, K., Fraser, D. & Hadley, F. (2002) The Health Promoting Early Childhood Program: A manual for early childhood services in NSW. Department of Community Services, Sydney: Government of New South Wales

The World Health Organisation has proclaimed that health is ‘not merely the absence of disease but the total physical, psychological and emotional well-being of individuals’ (WHO, 1946).

Being healthy means not only being free from sickness but also having a sense of well- being, feeling in control of one's life and feeling at ease with the people and circumstances within one's environment. Situations which facilitate these feelings are health-promoting.

For young children this sense of wellness is especially important. While we have long known that early experiences affect later life, recent findings from longitudinal studies and new brain imaging techniques, are showing that the earliest years of life are critical in the determination of physical, neurological, cognitive, emotional and social development. Meanwhile, studies on social determinants have revealed that long-term health and well-being is influenced not only by genetics and lifestyle, but also by economic, social and other environmental factors. These findings suggest that responsibility for health extends beyond medical professionals: doctors and nurses. Those who are involved with fostering healthy environments may be equally influential in guiding health outcomes. Early childhood professionals are obvious contributors in this arena.

Early childhood settings have an important role to play in promoting health and a sense of well-being for children, their families and ultimately their communities. Early childhood settings are health-promoting environments: information is shared; support is given; individuals engage with others and feel empowered to contribute to decision making; trust relationships are formed; partnerships and linkages are made; a sense of community and belonging is fostered.

Research conducted in childcare centres in New South Wales revealed the following: (See Hayden, J., De Gioia, K., Fraser, D. & Hadley, F. (2002) The Health Promoting Early Childhood Program: Final Report. Sydney: NSW Department of Community Services)

• Early childhood professionals, staff and the parents who use early childhood services support the goals of health promotion.
• Early childhood settings in NSW are already performing a wide array of health- promoting activities.
• There are specific strategies that will foster increased health promotion in early childhood settings in NSW.
• Health promotion in early childhood settings can be achieved by:
• creating and sustaining a healthy environment within the setting
• creating and sustaining parent partnerships and
• creating and sustaining community linkages.

Strategies for health promotion based upon research findings are outlined in the For Practitioners section of this website.