Pediatric Health

The focus of this curriculum is on prevention of spinal cord injury (SCI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The program is aimed at young children because it is during the early years that behavioral patterns are formed which become increasingly more difficult to modify as the child enters adolescence. The curriculum is based on principles of child development, early childhood education, and prevention psychology. It is designed to increase children's perceptions of vulnerability to SCI or TBI, the severity of the problem, response efficacy, and self-efficacy; to help students gain enhanced understanding of cause-effect relationships and the rationale for safety principles; and to enhance the perception that safe behavior is smart.

The focus of this curriculum is on prevention of spinal cord injury (SCI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The program is aimed at young children because it is during the early years that behavioral patterns are formed which become increasingly more difficult to modify as the child enters adolescence. The curriculum includes behavioral rehearsal, practice, and interactive elements with reinforcement to enhance learning. This guide for Grades 3 and 4 is organized into 8 units: Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Awareness, Motor Vehicle Safety, Pedestrian Safety, Bike Safety, Playground and Recreational Sports Safety, Preventing Falls, Weapons Safety, and Water Safety.

The problem of injuries in the school environment is often unrecognized and preventive measures are often ignored. The Children's Safety Network has designed this packet to inform school personnel, other professionals, and parents about the extent of the problem of injury and to stimulate discussion of possible solutions. The following sections are included: (1) "Understanding the Problem"; (2) "Examining the Circumstances"; (3) "What Is Being Done: Selected Examples"; (4) "Sample Data Collection Forms"; and (5) "Further Reading" (a 66-item bibliography).