1.2 Six Basic Health Needs for Children in Early Years Practice

This lesson explains the six basic health needs that underpin children’s wellbeing, development, learning and play in early years settings: nutritious food, clean water, hygiene, physical activity, rest and sleep, and safety. It explores how balanced nutrition and hydration support growth, concentration and emotional regulation, and how hygiene routines help prevent illness while promoting children’s independence and dignity. You will also learn why active play supports physical, social and cognitive development, while regular rest and sleep help children manage their emotions, remember learning and stay safe. The lesson highlights the practitioner’s role in providing safe environments, supervising children, identifying hazards and teaching simple personal safety. It also shows how these needs are interconnected and how they can be supported through everyday routines, modelling healthy habits, observing children and working in partnership with parents and carers. Explore related training with CMS: https://cmsvoc.co.uk/ Chapters 00:00 The six basic health needs 00:30 Food, water and healthy nutrition 01:44 Hygiene and infection prevention 02:12 Physical activity, rest and sleep 03:40 Safety, supervision and risk awareness 05:04 Putting health needs into everyday practice