Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Nurs 153
Nurs 153
young children (2010). It is imperative that nurses understand how children learn in order to
effectively teach health promoting behaviours, habits and strategies.
In sum, my experience with the Halton District School Board was positive. I have
arranged to collaborate with the teacher and early childhood educator to discuss my experience
within the classroom and its relevance to my future nursing practice. This includes continuing to
practice self-reflection and peer assessment throughout my nursing education and career.
Social Determinants of Health and Community Resources
According to the Canadian Nurses Association, social determinants of health are the
economic and social conditions that influence the health of individuals, communities and
jurisdictions as a whole (2005). The role of the Ontario Ministry of Education is to ensure that
all persons have access to education regardless of their social determinants of health. In 2010, the
Ontario government began implementing the full-day kindergarten program to support the early
learner and reduce the cost of childcare for Ontario families (Final Roll Out for Full Day
Kindergarten, 2011). Despite the governments best efforts to reduce the influence of the social
determinants of health on Canadians youth, its remains to be eliminated. During my
community placement, I identified two social determinants of health effecting Canadian youth:
food insecurity and social supports.
According to the Canadian Nurses Association suggests that a well-balanced diet and
adequate supply of nutritious food are essential elements of good health (2008). Food insecurity
is not merely lack of access to food, but a lack of access to nutritious food. During my
placement, I observed that many of the childrens lunches and snacks were composed of calorie
dense food with little to no nutritional value. As obesity remains an issue for young Canadians, it
is important to implement healthy lifestyle choices early in order to promote lifelong health
(Canadian Nurses Association, 2008). The Heart and Stroke Foundation website provides free
tips and strategies for healthy living for Canadians. Their mission is to prevent disease, save lives
and promote recovery (Heart and Stroke Foundation, 2015). The website is filled with family
friendly recipes for healthy meals. This includes a printable colouring book for children with
recipes and information about healthy lifestyle choices. It is easily accessible for anyone who has
access to a computer or a local library.
The Canadian Nurses Association defines social supports as the practical and emotional
life skills (2008). It is imperative that children have access to support from family, caregivers
and educators. During my community placement, I recognized that children who lacked adequate
social and emotional support at home often exhibited maladaptive behaviours inside of the
classroom. The Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK) is a learning centre dedicated to the mental
health of children, adolescence and their family (ROCK, 2015). The organization provides a 24
hour crisis line and a walk-in services once a week in Milton, Oakville and Burlington. This
includes individual and family therapy.
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References
Canadian Nurses Association. (2005). Social Determinants of Health and Nursing: A Summary
of the Issues. Retrieved from: https://www.cna-aiic.ca/~/media/cna/page-content/pdf-en/
social-determinants-of-health-and-nursing_a-summary-of-the-issues.pdf?la=en
Final Roll Out For Full-Day Kindergarten. (2011). News Ontario. Retrieved May 25, 2015, from
http://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2011/06/final-roll-out-for-full-day-kindergarten.html
Halton District School Board. (n.d.). Retrieved May 20, 2015, from http://www.hdsb.ca/
Programs/Pages/ProgramsServices.aspx
Heart and Stroke Foundation. (2015). Retrieved May 25, 2015, from http://
www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.6248871/k.BE53/
Healthy_Kids__Healthy_Eating.htm
Reach Out Centre for Kids. (2015). Retrieved May 25, 2015, from http://rockonline.ca/services/
child-and-family-services/
Somerville, D., & Keeling, J. (2004). Clinical Practice: A practical approach to promote
reflective practice within nursing. Nursing Times. Retrieved from http://
www.nursingtimes.net/Journals/2012/11/30/v/l/x/040323A-practical-approach-topromote-reflective-practice-within-nursing.pdf
The Ministry of Education. (2010). The Full-Day Early Learning - Kindergarten Program.
Retrieved from http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/
kindergarten_english_june3.pdf