Wellness and Wellbeing Essay: Early Childhood Program Strategies

This essay explores the concepts of wellness and wellbeing, defining them and highlighting their significance in early childhood development. It examines various factors influencing a child's attainment of wellness, including environmental, social, and biological influences, with a specific focus on the impact of social media. The essay further addresses issues of health equity and justice, emphasizing the importance of equal access to resources and services. Finally, it discusses strategies that early childhood programs can implement to support families in improving their children's wellness and wellbeing, considering the selected issues and promoting holistic development. The essay uses health model perspectives and health-related theories and incorporates discussion regarding the impact of media aspects as they relate to health issues and considers issues of equity.

Running head: WELLN ESS AND WELLBEING
Wellness and Wellbeing
Name of student:
Name of university:
Author note:

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Introduction
Overview
The concepts of wellness and wellbeing are evasive; people from different culture have
different ways of defining wellness and wellbeing. Differences in cultural settings may
contribute to differing priorities and wellness expectations. The following discussion provides an
understanding of the concepts of wellness and wellbeing in terms of its relation to childhood.
What is wellness and wellbeing?
Wellbeing is defined as more holistic relating to the overall health condition of an
individual. Health is framed as a personal positive aspiration and right in an individual’s life,
which considers the entire life condition based on various aspects. Concepts of wellbeing revolve
around physical health, social health, mental health and spiritual health; it is a broader concept
emphasizing a positive health outcome of an individual (Liamputtong, Fanany & Verrinder,
2012). Wellness is more concerned with the physical health of an individual. Wellness and
wellbeing are an integration of a complex number of determining aspects, therefore, ranging
aspects of societal, socio economic, environmental, intellectual and spiritual factors relate to the
state of an individual health. The concept of wellbeing, according to Australian Institute of
Health and Well fare, is extended to sound health condition due to good living conditions, free
from illness.
Dimensions of wellness
Concept of wellness extends more than physical health condition with the inclusion of
nutritional and exercising factors. Wellness is inclusive of seven dimensions which performs an
interplay to promote quality health status of an individual and maintain a healthy balance.
 Social wellness: This involves interactions with the family and environment and
promotes buildup of positive relationships with family, friends and neighbors, thereby
contributing to community health (Eliopoulos, 2014).
 Emotional wellness: This is related to the emotional states of an individual to maintain
healthy and enthusiastic emotions. Emotional wellness enables an individual to face and
cope up with life challenges and keep their emotions in a controlled and constructive way
(Robbins, Powers & Burgess 2009).

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 Intellectual wellness: This involves open approach to learn and grasp new ideas, develop
new skills and learn through experiences to improve personal and community health
(Eliopoulos, 2014).
 Physical wellness: This revolves around maintaining a quality life through performance
of normalized activities. Significant impact on wellness is obtained through adopting
healthful habits (Robbins, Powers & Burgess 2009).
 Environmental wellness: This is related to individual impact on the environmental factors
to maintain environmental quality to positively impact health conditions (Eliopoulos,
2014).
 Spiritual wellness: The personal beliefs and values related to life purpose and the state of
maintaining harmony with the environment has a positive impact on individual wellness
(Donatelle, 2014).
The concept of wellness and wellbeing has a crucial impact on the development of
early childhood. The social, physical and emotional wellbeing have a considerable impact on
a child’s development of holistic wellness approach. Early child educators should maintain
positive relation and emotional states to improve the child’s habits. The children learn from
their educators and family members, this learning has a far reaching impact on the mental
states of the children. Disturbing social interactions and parenting can bring about negative
consequences in child wellness; therefore confidence, trust issues, social incompetence may
develop affecting child wellness.
Module 2 references
Graham, H. (2007). Unequal Lives. New York: McGraw-Hill, pp. 177-181.
Liamputtong, P., Fanany, R., & Verrinder, G. (2012). Health, illness, and well-being: an
introduction. Health, Illness, and Well-Being: Perspectives and Social Determinants, 1-
17.

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Liamputtong, P., Fanany, R., & Verrinder, G. (2012). Health, illness and well-being:
perspectives and social determinants. South Melbourne, Oxford University Press: pp.
201-212.
Portsmouth, L. (2012). Health and the media. Health, illness and well-being: Perspectives and
social determinants. South Melbourne, Oxford University Press: pp. 258-264.
Child wellness
Factors influencing child’s wellness
Wellness of a child dependent on environmental, social and biological factors which have
a profound impact on the overall health conditions. Wide ranging environmental influences like
toxins, infectious agents, pollutants and social factors like interactions with family and
caregivers, racial and cultural diversity, community relations influence the early growth and
development of a child. A child’s personality development is shaped by the bonding and the
environment in his family. Environmental influences revolve around preservation and recycling
of wastes. Conservation of flora and fauna maintains the environmental balance and minimizes
pollution. Promoting environmental balance improves child’s wellbeing by preventing various
diseases (Reynolds, Blackmore & Smith, 2009). Parental care is significant; lack of nurturing
and interest among the parents result in withdrawal of child, affecting his behavioral
development. Stable and secured relationship between parents and children through providing
quality care and spending quality time promotes the right environment for learning. Biological
influences include genetic factors which determines the probability of inheriting or developing
any diseased condition. Genetic factors are in turn affected by environmental influences.
Environmental disturbances involving social disruptions can lead to mental disturbances in
children. As a result, mental wellness is affected (Yi et al., 2015). Prenatal care associated with
pregnancy complications can cause genetic abnormalities in newborns. These genetic alterations
can lead to severe diseases in childhood. Therefore, child care givers and families have an
immense role to play in taking care of these factors. Social determinants of health reflect the
quality life and health functioning. These have a wide impact on the quality of life outcomes
with respect to health (Eliopoulos, 2010). Therefore, it can be said that healthy living and

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maintenance are a product of all these influences; these factors keep on changing with the growth
of children and changing social and cultural environments. A variety of other determinants of
wellness have been identified some of which are income, social status and environment,
employment, quality education, health services, socioeconomic resources, transportation
facilities, availability of resources, social safety and security (Portsmouth, 2012). In child growth
and development, focusing on the physical wellness and mental wellness his essential to achieve
positive outcome. A child’s mind is correlated with health and healing; therefore family and care
givers need to focus on the normalized attitudes while conversing with the children. The child
educators need to teach the children to develop healthy habits; choosing healthy diet, regular
exercises, developing their minds through positive thoughts help children in maintaining mental
wellness and physical wellness. Positive imageries are important in building positive mental
attitudes in children since childhood. Child educators and parents need to encourage their
children to adopt positive habits and take opportunities and challenges in life with courage. This
would build confidence in the children; therefore fear and stress would not be a barrier in the
development (McMurray & Clendon, 2015). Continuous support from parents in terms of
emotions and finances enables a child to strengthen his mental wellness. Therefore, it can be said
that, proper concern by child educators and parents in all the dimensions of wellness is essential
in maintaining healthy status of their children.
Social media aspects affecting child wellness
Social media has a both constructive and destructive impact on children’s wellbeing.
Positive impacts involve spreading awareness in health promotion, maintaining relationships
over distances, providing instant information related to education. However, destructive side of
social media has profound negative impacts on a child, thereby interfering with the wellness and
wellbeing. Children spend a lot of time scrolling through social media. The time spent in social
media has a direct relation with the maintenance of health. Physical, cognitive, behavioral as
well as social wellness of a child are affected by social media. Increased time spent on social
media causes alterations in emotional attitudes of children. They suffer from frequent mood
swings. As a result, children develop aggressive behaviors and intolerance in attitudes
(VanSlyke-Briggs, 2010). They tend to avoid direct face-to-face communication with their
family and friends. As a result, the parent-child bonding is affected. Psychosocial behavioral
problems are developed in these children. Social media develops a feeling of comparisons in

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children; they tend to compare themselves with others in social media which tends to reduce
their self-worth become less thoughtful. Increased risk factors due to cyberbullying occurs as
more and more time is spent on social media interactions (Woods & Scott, 2016). Too much
reliance on social media causes children to become thoughtless and lose creativity. Loneliness is
a concerning factors which is associated with social media dependence. Children become
isolated from social environments and suffer from depressing emotional states due to loneliness.
Social media causes low self-esteem in children; self-promotion and lack of confidence are
associated outcomes of social media (Henderson-Wilson, 2012). Alarming behavioral problems
often result in hospitalizations. Children education is immensely affected by social media.
Increased time spent in social media develops a lack of focus and concentration on education;
seriousness and attention are affected which result in poor progress in studies. Children tend to
lack feelings of empathy and compassion and become impatient while interacting with family.
Outdoor activities like sports and social interactions are negatively affected due to social media
dependence. Television is another social media which limits the children’s time spent in
important activities like exercises and playful activities. Acquiring social and intellectual skills
are affected due to social media interference (Cookingham & Ryan, 2015). Therefore, as a whole
social media causes immense destructive results on child’s health; physical, mental, intellectual
and social well ness are negatively affected which contributes an adverse impact on the
wellbeing of a child.
Health equity and justice in wellness
Every individual has the right to maintain optimal health condition; discrimination should
not be entertained while availing health services. Health maintenance and health service
availability are hindered due to discriminations. Discrimination are based on income status,
racism, cultural, sexual orientation, nationality, gender, language, religion which deprive people
from healthy living. Social isolation also acts a discriminating factor which prevents people from
medical assistance in emergencies. Discrimination based on community and ethnicity prevent
people from accessing medical resources and healthy food, which are required for health
maintenance (Graham, 2007). Children are dependent on their family and environment; care and
health promotion without discrimination in early childhood has a profound positive impact on
child’s wellness and wellbeing. Health promotion and maintaining good health is a right for
every being. Equality and justice in health promotion are essential to be maintained in order to

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improve the health status on a population basis. Health disparities and health in justice among
families and environment are passed on to their children and affect them negatively. Equality in
health maintenance and social justice are important in reducing health disparities among people
(Marmot, 2015). Poverty and socioeconomic status are significant underlying factors of
inequality in health. Poverty can be with respect to food and income. People are unable to
acquire or consume healthy food due to lower income. Geographical discrimination can also act
as a barrier in poverty and health inequality. Poor income status prevents people from availing
healthy food and resources; low economic status deprives people to get medical assistance
during illness. High medical charges also hinder the health service availability among poor
families. This in turn has a negative impact on their children. The children therefore cannot get
healthy resources and quality education which impacts their social wellness. Lower income
status act as a barrier to health equity. Affluent people acquire health services more easily
compared to poor people. Ethnic, geographical and cultural discrimination also thwart access to
health services. Therefore, the children from poor families are also deprived which has a
negative impact on their behavioral and emotional wellness. The children therefore are deprived
of social and cultural opportunities due to poverty. This affects their mental states of wellbeing
(Heiman, & Artiga, 2015). Ensuring health equity and social justice is an ethical concern. Health
disparities need to be reduced to increase equality in health promotion. Healthy maintenance of
children are concerned factors for a nation’s prosperity. Healthy living and health promotion
improves work-life balance when these children grow up. This has a beneficial impact on the
population, thereby promoting a nation’s progress.
Strategies to promote child wellness
Child care professionals are involved in setting examples to promote child wellness and
wellbeing. Child wellness programs take initiatives to design and implement interventions in
promoting child survival by reducing mortality. Various programs have developed strategies to
promote child care at critical stages of life increasing their survival. Child care professionals
serve as the communication links with the parents and educate them on the importance of health
maintenance of children. Child care settings have been established to promote wellness among
families and their children. However, the benefit of such programs and their initiatives have not
been appreciable. Planning and designing of strategies have been possible but the

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implementation has not been appropriate. Children who live in geographical remote regions still
face inequality in health promotion and inability to access health services. Regulation of
strategies of these child wellness programs need to be done to improve wellbeing on a whole
child perspective. The childhood programs aimed at promoting wellness can adopt several
measures to improve their planning. Teaching strategies can be arranged to educate the families
(Sorte, Daeschel & Amador, 2011). The child care professionals can arrange for short term
interactive sessions in various regions. They need to involve the families and educate them on
how individual child wellness can be achieved. School teaching strategies by the wellness
programs need to be taken to spread awareness among students and their families on the
importance and benefits of child wellness. Educating the families that the education plays a
significant role in developing a child professional and personal background need to be focused
by the wellness programs (Minniss et al., 2013). Various workshops can be arranged in near
schools and residential areas allowing parents to actively participate. Child care professionals
need to divide in small groups and visit families. They need to assess the parent-child relation
and train the families on how to promote mental and social wellness. They should adopt nutrition
strategies to educate the families on the adequate requirement of nutrition to keep their children
in healthy disease condition (Sellers et al., 2005). Child care professionals should make
partnerships with health stakeholders to provide economic support to the poor families to
overcome the poverty as a barrier in healthy equity. Child care specialists should arrange in small
teams and reach to the geographically isolated populations to provide health facilities, food and
resources (Davis et al., 2010). They should arrange for free immunization therapies for poor
children to prevent from infectious diseases and reduce mortality rates. Various health related
activities can be set up by the wellness programs involving the families and children to take part
in health races, healthy cooking classes.
Health message
Wellness and wellbeing are broadening concepts; child wellness requires concern and
care from both parents and child care educators. All the dimensions of wellness need to be
focused to promote a whole child health benefit. Factors influencing child wellness keep on
changing and regular assessment and keeping records of child health and planning accordingly
would help improve child wellbeing. Initiatives need to be taken during early development of

8WELLNESS AND WELLBEING
child to promote education as a significant part of attaining wellness. Health disparities need to
be reduced through education and awareness to promote equity and justice in health maintenance
and promotion. Discriminating factors need to be eliminated to promote social justice and health
equity.
Module 3 (Factors influencing child wellness, health equity and justice, health message)
references
McMurray, A., & Clendon, J. (2011). Community Health and Wellness: Primary Health Care in
Practice. Chatswood, Elsevier Health Sciences (4th edition). pp. 7-8.
Sellers, K., Russo, T. J., Baker, I., & Dennison, B. A. (2005). The role of childcare providers in
the prevention of childhood overweight. Journal of early childhood research, 3(3), 227-
242.
Module 4 references
Davis, E., Priest, N., Davies, B., Sims, M., Harrison, L., Herrman, H., & Cook, K. (2010).
Promoting children's social and emotional wellbeing in childcare centres within low
socioeconomic areas: strategies, facilitators and challenges. Australasian Journal of
Early Childhood, 35(3), 77.
References
Cookingham, L. M., & Ryan, G. L. (2015). The impact of social media on the sexual and social
wellness of adolescents. Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology, 28(1), 2-5.
Davis, E., Priest, N., Davies, B., Sims, M., Harrison, L., Herrman, H., & Cook, K. (2010).
Promoting children's social and emotional wellbeing in childcare centres within low
socioeconomic areas: strategies, facilitators and challenges. Australasian Journal of
Early Childhood, 35(3), 77.

9WELLNESS AND WELLBEING
Donatelle, R. (2014). Cultivating your spiritual health. Access to Health. Boston, Pearson: pp.
58-69.
Eliopoulos, C. (2014). Balancing work and life. Invitation to holistic health: A guide to living a
balanced life. Sudbury, Jones & Bartlett Publishers: pp.161-176.
Graham, H. (2007). Unequal Lives. New York: McGraw-Hill, pp. 177-181.
Heiman, H. J., & Artiga, S. (2015). Beyond health care: the role of social determinants in
promoting health and health equity. Health, 20(10), 1-10.
Liamputtong, P., Fanany, R., & Verrinder, G. (2012). Health, illness, and well-being: an
introduction. Health, Illness, and Well-Being: Perspectives and Social Determinants, 1-
17.
Liamputtong, P., Fanany, R., & Verrinder, G. (2012). Health, illness and well-being:
perspectives and social determinants. South Melbourne, Oxford University Press: pp.
201-212.
Marmot, M. (2015). The health gap: the challenge of an unequal world. The Lancet, 386(10011),
2442-2444.
McMurray, A., & Clendon, J. (2011). Community Health and Wellness: Primary Health Care in
Practice. Chatswood, Elsevier Health Sciences (4th edition). pp. 7-8.
Minniss, F. R., Wardrope, C., Johnston, D., & Kendall, E. (2013). Promoting Health in Early
Childhood Environments: A Health-promotion Approach. Child care in practice, 19(2),
104-117.

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Portsmouth, L. (2012). Health and the media. Health, illness and well-being: Perspectives and
social determinants. South Melbourne, Oxford University Press: pp. 258-264.
Reynolds, M., Blackmore, C., & Smith, M. J. (Eds.). (2009). The environmental responsibility
reader. Zed Books Ltd..
Robbins, G., Powers, D., & Burgess, S. (2009). Understanding wellness. A wellness way of life.
New York, McGraw-Hill: pp.7-14
Sellers, K., Russo, T. J., Baker, I., & Dennison, B. A. (2005). The role of childcare providers in
the prevention of childhood overweight. Journal of early childhood research, 3(3), 227-
242.
Sorte, J., Daeschel, I., & Amador, C. (2011). Nutrition, Health, and Safety for Young Children:
Promoting Wellness. Pearson.
VanSlyke-Briggs, K. (2010). The nurturing teacher: Managing the stress of caring. Rowman &
Littlefield Publishers.
Woods, H. C., & Scott, H. (2016). Sleepyteens: social media use in adolescence is associated
with poor sleep quality, anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. Journal of
Adolescence, 51, 41-49.
Yi, K. J., Landais, E., Kolahdooz, F., & Sharma, S. (2015). Factors influencing the health and
wellness of urban Aboriginal youths in Australia: Insights of in-service professionals,
care providers, and stakeholders. Australian journal of public health, 105(5), 881-890.

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